Not being able to talk was always hard. When we were kids, remaining silent during class at the school, or during the religious service, or while the elders were talking was many times difficult, even impossible; then came the lesson of learning to listen more and talking less, as a requirement to develop trustful relationships. I hardly get good grades on this one.
All these are rather universal experiences, and as such, we know of the power of talking and the frustration of not being able to do it. Certainly, there are other ways to communicate that can be at least as powerful as talking, but still, in our daily lives, it is hard to find a replacement for the spoken word. Here is Ebert’s testimony about overcoming this difficulty. It is worth watching it!
Mr. Ebert’s video made me think of my own experience as an immigrant in a country whose language was not my own, forced to improve my limited ability to talk in a foreign language. In a sense, it was like loosing the voice. He gave perspective to this frustration of needing to say and not being able to, and the common consequences of being put aside as ignorant, deaf, or stupid, reminding me that that was one of the biggest reasons why I didn’t want to move here: it implied loosing the ability to talk.
Answering the phone suddenly becomes a challenge. Taking the lead in a conversation, even a trivial one, implies a huge, exhausting effort. Tolerating the exasperation and impatience of others because of your accent demands some Zen skills (I guess for them too!). Fortunately, there are lots of smart people out there to help out, patient to appreciate the message beyond its envelope. With their help, some effort, persistence, and time, one can reach a voice.
Also fortunately, there is people like Roger Ebert, capable of overcoming such adversities with such grace that you have no choice but learn. I am listening, Mr. Ebert; Keep talking.
Carlos' Personal Space 