Memory Speaks: On Losing and Reclaiming Language and Self

Memory Speaks is a memoir, commentary on cultural diversity, and expert distillation of research on language learning, loss, and recovery. It explores the brains capacity to learn and forget languages at various stages of life, combining psychological research with a moving story.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 22 August 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Insightful and informative, Sedivy examines what happens to memory, dreams, and even the sense of self when one enters another language. Eva Hoffman, author of Lost in Translation, praises Sedivy's work, stating that it "engagingly describes the disorienting and sometimes shattering experience of feeling one's native language atrophy as a new language takes hold." Science also commends Sedivy's book, describing it as "a profound elegy to memories that endure despite displacement and the many time zones that define our lives." André Aciman, author of The Alexandria Quartet, calls Memory Speaks "a profound elegy to memories that endure despite displacement and the many time zones that define our lives."

Julie Sedivy was two years old when her parents left Czechoslovakia, marking the beginning of a journey that would lead her to lose touch with her native language. By the time she graduated from college, English had become her dominant language, and she rarely spoke Czech. However, when her father died unexpectedly, her strongest link to her native tongue was severed, and she began to feel that she was losing herself.

In Memory Speaks, Sedivy explores the brain's capacity to learn and forget languages at various stages of life, combining a rich body of psychological research with a moving story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Through her own experiences and the stories of others, Sedivy sheds light on the complex emotions that accompany language loss and recovery, including nostalgia, grief, and identity crisis.

One of the key themes of Memory Speaks is the importance of language in shaping our identities. Sedivy argues that language is not just a means of communication but also a reflection of our values, beliefs, and experiences. When we lose our native language, we lose a part of ourselves, as it becomes difficult to express our thoughts and emotions in the language that was once so familiar.

Sedivy also explores the cognitive and neural mechanisms that underpin language learning and loss. She discusses the role of memory in language acquisition and retention, as well as the ways in which our brains adapt to new languages. Sedivy also delves into the psychological and social factors that contribute to language loss, such as stress, anxiety, and social isolation.

Memory Speaks is a powerful and thought-provoking book that will appeal to anyone who has ever struggled with language loss or has been fascinated by the brain's capacity for learning and adaptation. Sedivy's writing is elegant and accessible, and her story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. This book will leave a lasting impression on readers and inspire them to appreciate the importance of language in our lives.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 127 x 204 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674293939