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Dialogues@RU is published
annually by the
Writing Program at
Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey

Volume Two
Spring 2003

Commentary

Denise M. Svenson

As the author of autobiographical poetry, I have often found it difficult to accurately convey my emotions through language. At certain times, there simply are no words sufficient to describe the way I am feeling. I have struggled with the notion of expressing to my reader that I find myself somewhere between melancholy and despondence, but not exactly depressed. There is no doubt that authors and scholars throughout the centuries have been bothered by, and have contemplated this deficiency. In her essay, "Bound by Words: How Effective is Language as a Tool of Expression?" Lisa Cardinal does an excellent job of exposing the insufficiency of language as not only a "tool of expression" but as a means of fixing one's identity as well. Through a study of Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self , the autobiography of Rebecca Walker, Cardinal thoroughly explores the many complicating factors that make language incapable of truly articulating identity, but also astutely points out that despite it shortcomings, language is the best tool that humans possess for the task.

Of particular interest is Cardinal's discussion of Noam Chomsky's "principles of generation," which identifies how the meanings of words change over time. Cardinal explores the meaning and use of the word "nigger" with an insight and dexterity that clearly exposes the fallibility of language as a "tool of expression." Furthermore, this discussion left me contemplating the efficiency of literature as a means of expression and communication. For example, can contemporary readers ever truly be certain of the intended meanings of words in antiquated works such as Shakespeare's? After all, although many scholars and historians have spent their lifetimes studying Shakespeare, there is still disparity among the definitions offered by different editions and editors, often leaving the reader to decide which is correct based solely on preference. One wonders, then, if an author can ever be completely successful in his or her task using only the tools of language, which are so susceptible to periodical metamorphoses.

Cardinal also raises an important point in her discussion of Laura Winn and Donald Rubin's "communication adaptation theory" which states that, to quote Cardinal, "individuals vary their language choices within interactions, depending on their social goals. Thus, speakers may choose to emphasize (or de-emphasize) particular aspects of their identities as a way of aligning with . . . interaction partners." This theory is of vital importance when understanding Walker's autobiography, as Walker, being interracial, would find this skill highly valuable in her relations with different ethnic groups. Yet it also helps to underscore the notion that everyone's identity, as defined through his or her "language choices," is malleable. For instance, as an older student, I must constantly reconfigure my identity to conform to the social circumstances I find myself in. Clearly, I would not use the same "language choices" with my twelve-year-old daughter as I would with my professors, yet both aspects of my identity are genuine and important to me. Again, this demonstrates that language is insufficient as a means of defining ourselves, as it cannot represent more than one facet of personality at a time, and must always leave other aspects latent beneath the surface.

Although Cardinal covers all of the bases having to do with the difficulties of language as a "tool of expression," I did find myself wanting more direct engagement with Walker's personal experiences. I was fascinated with the notion that Walker was a triply marginalized figure, in that she was not only a woman but black and Jewish as well. It is rare to find an individual who is categorically a minority, and historically oppressed in terms of gender, race, and religion. Even today, with the major strides women have made in society, I have sometimes felt that I was at a disadvantage as a woman, and can not fathom the kinds of prejudices that Walker must have faced at every turn, and the frustration and dejection she certainly would have endured. Cardinal gives the reader a taste of this in her discussion of Walker's early encounters with a love interest who didn't want to date a black girl, but this glimpse into Walker's psychological world merely left me wanting more.

On a positive note, however, that I found myself thoroughly engaged in the essay and wanted to read more is a testament to the strength of Cardinal's scholarship. Not only does her exploration of Walker's autobiography substantiate her claim that language can never be an infallible means of expression simply because of its inherent nature, but she further challenges readers to ponder why we as humans feel so strongly the need to define ourselves through writing and language, and if indeed a more effective means of communicating oneself can be found.

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