Siddhartha question

From the earliest events of the novel, Siddhartha makes clear the short comings of teachers and the ability of language to convey thought. During his time as a Samana, Siddhartha remarks, "What I've learned, being among the Samanas,...I could have learned more quickly and by simpler means" (Hesse 15). Then when leaving the presence of Gotama, he firmly believes, "No teachings will entice me any more, since this man's teachings have not enticed me" (29). Despite these assertions, Siddhartha finds an assortment of teachers in his life from the Brahmans of his youth, Kamala in his later life, Vasudeva, and concluding with the river which speaks to him. All these characters guide Siddhartha along his path endowing him with invaluable experiences at each stage of his life. However, Siddhartha finds meaning from the experiences, not necessarily his mentors. In a final discussion with Govinda, Siddhartha explains, " I distrust in words so much...I prefer the thing over the words" (103). Even as Siddhartha adopts a teaching role in this interaction, his resolute belief in the failure of teachers to truly ever accomplish their goal holds through.
Within Siddhartha's arc, how important are each of his teachers in guiding his growth as a character? And if experiences themselves matter more, what role do teachers play in providing access to each new environment? Finally, can language ever truly express the full depth of a person's thoughts , or must it always be manipulated to the point of losing the original intent?