This was such an amazing speech.

It was truly captivating and inspiring. Anyone who is really invested in literature should take the time to read her acceptance speech.

Her words had a profound impact and offered valuable insights into the world of literature.

The speech was filled with passion and a deep love for the written word.

It not only honored her achievements but also served as a source of motivation for all those who share her enthusiasm for literature.

By reading her acceptance speech, one can gain a better understanding of the importance of literature and its ability to touch our hearts and minds.

It is a speech that will surely be remembered and cherished by all those who have a genuine interest in the literary arts.

So, if you consider yourself a lover of literature, don't miss out on the opportunity to read this remarkable acceptance speech.

It is bound to leave a lasting impression and perhaps even inspire you to pursue your own literary dreams.

A truly remarkable speech that compels one to deeply reflect on the manner in which society approaches language.

Reading it for my theatre history class while simultaneously being enrolled in a linguistics class has made many of these linguistic themes格外 prominent for me.

The way the speech dissects and analyzes the various aspects of language use in different social contexts is both fascinating and eye-opening.

It makes me realize how language is not just a means of communication but also a powerful tool that can shape our perceptions and interactions.

However, it is the final line that truly stands out the most. It encapsulates the entire essence of the speech and drives home its main point with great force.

This final line leaves a lasting impression and makes me continue to ponder over the significance of language in our lives long after I have finished reading the speech.

I have a great passion for reading the works of those who are far more intelligent than I am. Even though I am well aware that I may not be able to fully understand half of their profound meanings, I still find it extremely rewarding. Tony Morrison's speech was truly captivating. It delved deep into the significance of language, exploring not only the ways in which we can cause harm to it but also how we can nourish it and, in turn, ourselves.

She beautifully articulated that "Language alone protects us from the scariness of things with no name." This statement really made me think about the power of words and how they can give form and meaning to the intangible and the unknown.

Morrison also pointed out that "It is the language that drinks blood, laps vulnerabilities, tucks its fascist boots under crinolines of respectability and patriotism as it moves relentlessly toward the bottom line and the bottomed-out mind. Sexist language, racist language, theistic language – all are typical of the policing languages of mastery, and cannot, do not permit new knowledge or encourage the mutual exchange of ideas." Her words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of being mindful of the language we use and the impact it can have on others and on our society as a whole.

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.” This profound statement by Toni Morrison makes us stop and think. Indeed, our existence is finite, but through language, we can leave a lasting mark.

“Don’t you remember being young when language was magic without meaning? When what you could say, could not mean? When the invisible was what imagination strove to see? When questions and demands for answers burned so brightly you trembled with fury at not knowing?” Morrison's words here take us back to our childhood, when language was a mysterious and wonderful thing.

The 1993 Nobel lecture is perhaps one of the most important things Toni ever wrote. My own language fails me at the honesty and profundity that this speech exposes. It truly says everything that needs to be said about the human relationship with language, and does so in the most articulate and masterful way. It is marvelous. Morrison's words have the power to touch our hearts and make us see the world in a new light.

We die. That may be the inevitable end and perhaps the profound meaning of life itself.

However, in the face of this certain mortality, we engage in language. It is through language that we communicate our thoughts, our emotions, our dreams, and our fears.

Language is not just a means of communication; it is the measure of our lives. It allows us to express the intangible, to share our experiences with others, and to leave a lasting mark on the world.

With language, we can create literature, art, and music that will outlive us. We can build relationships, form communities, and make a difference in the lives of those around us.

So, while we may all eventually pass away, the power of language gives us the opportunity to make our lives meaningful and to be remembered long after we are gone.

Reading this while hearing Toni Morrison give the speech is a truly unique and captivating experience.

Toni Morrison's words have a profound impact that can only be fully felt when heard directly from her.

The speech is available at http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer....

I highly recommend giving it a try as it offers valuable insights and perspectives that are well worth considering.

Listening to her speak allows you to connect with her ideas on a deeper level and gain a better understanding of her work and the significance it holds.

So, take the time to explore this speech and let Toni Morrison's powerful words inspire and move you.

You won't be disappointed.

What exquisite language!

It is truly a marvel to behold. The beautiful, rich, and divine concepts are temptingly, temperately, and tempestuously woven together in a seamless tapestry.

Each word seems to have been carefully chosen and placed to create a work that is not only a pleasure to read but also enriches the reader's mind and soul.

The language dances and flows, captivating the reader's attention from the very first sentence and carrying them along on a journey of discovery and wonder.

It is a testament to the power of words and the artistry of the writer.

One cannot help but be in awe of the beauty and elegance that has been achieved through the use of such exquisite language.

It is a work that will be cherished and remembered for a long time to come.

“Oppressive language does more than represent violence; it is violence; does more than represent the limits of knowledge; it limits knowledge.” This profound statement by Toni Morrison makes us realize the power and significance of language. It shows that language can have a far-reaching impact on our lives and society.

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.” Morrison's words here emphasize the importance of language in defining who we are and what we achieve in life. Through language, we express our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and it is through language that we connect with others and make a difference in the world.

This speech was my first encounter with Toni Morrison's work, and even from just these few lines, I can understand and feel why so many people around the world hold her works in such high regard. Her use of language is both powerful and beautiful, and it has the ability to touch our hearts and minds. I am now excited to explore more of her world and discover the many treasures that lie within her writing.

The conventional wisdom regarding the Tower of Babel story holds that the collapse was a misfortune.

It is believed that it was the distraction or the weight of numerous languages that led to the failure of the tower's architecture.

The idea is that a single, monolithic language would have sped up the building process and heaven would have been reached.

However, she wonders, "Whose heaven?" and "What kind?"

Perhaps the achievement of paradise was premature and a bit hasty.

If no one could take the time to understand other languages, other views, and other narratives, then maybe the heaven they imagined was not the true one.

Had they taken the time to understand, the heaven they sought might have been found right at their feet.

Maybe the collapse of the Tower of Babel was not a misfortune after all, but a necessary step towards a more inclusive and understanding world.

The quotes from the speech offer profound insights into the power and significance of language. The first quote emphasizes how the systematic looting of language occurs when its users abandon its nuanced and complex nature, instead using it for menace and subjugation. Oppressive language not only represents violence but is itself a form of violence, and it also limits knowledge. It shows how the improper use of language can have far-reaching consequences.

The second quote challenges us not to be told what to believe or fear, but rather to explore the true nature of belief and the means to overcome fear. It highlights the unique ability of language, as demonstrated by the blind old woman, to convey what only language can: the art of seeing without pictures. Language serves as a protection against the scariness of unnamed things and is a form of meditation. It reveals the transformative potential of language when used in a meaningful and creative way.

Overall, these quotes remind us of the importance of using language with care and intention, and of recognizing its power to shape our thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

She firmly believes that when a language perishes, whether due to carelessness, lack of use, indifference, absence of respect, or being deliberately eradicated, not only she herself but all those who use and create the language are responsible for its downfall. In her country, children have resorted to extreme measures like biting off their tongues and using bullets instead to convey the voice of speechlessness, of a language that has been disabled and is disabling, a language that adults have completely abandoned as a means of grappling with meaning, providing guidance, or expressing love. However, she is aware that tongue-suicide is not just the choice of children. It is also prevalent among the infantile leaders of states and power brokers whose empty language leaves them cut off from what remains of their human instincts, as they only speak to those who obey or to force obedience.

"She is convinced that when language dies, out of carelessness, disuse, indifference and absence of esteem, or killed by fiat, not only she herself, but all users and makers are accountable for its demise. In her country children have bitten their tongues off and use bullets instead to iterate the voice of speechlessness, of disabled and disabling language, of language adults have abandoned altogether as a device for grappling with meaning, providing guidance, or expressing love. But she knows tongue-suicide is not only the choice of children. It is common among the infantile heads of state and power merchants whose evacuated language leaves them with no access to what is left of their human instincts for they speak only to those who obey, or in order to force obedience."


Read it here:


https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_priz...


Or listen to it on YouTube.

I had this posted on my door for a year back in College.

It was a statement that I made everyone who entered my room read.

Looking back now, I can see that I was perhaps a bit too heavy-handed in my approach.

However, I still firmly believe that this is not just a simple treatise but the very foundation of the community with whom I hope to share my life.

It reveals complex truths about the power of narrative.

Narrative has the ability to shape our perceptions, influence our actions, and even create entire worlds.

But with this power comes the infinite possibility of abuse.

We must be cautious of how we use narrative, as it can have a conjuring effect, leading us astray or causing harm.

Turning our lives over to the power of stories also comes with risks.

We may become too reliant on them, lose our sense of self, or be misled by false narratives.

Yet, the greater risk lies in refusing to engage with narrative at all.

By shutting ourselves off from the power of stories, we limit our understanding of the world and our ability to connect with others.

Just thinking about all of this makes me a little short of breath.