The language of being human | Poet Ali

譯者: Amanda Chu 審譯者: Adrienne Lin

Poet Ali: Hi. Audience: Hi.

嗨。 （觀眾）嗨。

PA: I want to ask you guys a question. How many languages do you speak?

我想問各位一個問題。 你會講多少種語言？

我不是隨便問問，

This is not a rhetorical question.

I actually want you to think of a number.

我要你真的想一個數字。

For some of you, it's pretty easy.

對有些人，答案很簡單。

Inside your head, you're like, "It's one. You're speaking it, buddy. I'm done."

你可能會想：「一種， 就是你正在說的這種，然後沒了。」

其他人或許在猶豫，

Others of you maybe are wondering

前男友、前女友教你的都是些髒話， 不知道這樣算不算。

if the language an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend taught you,

where you learned all the cusswords,

if it counts -- go ahead and count it.

你就儘管都算進來，對自己好一點。

When I asked myself the question, I came up with four,

我問自己這個問題， 得到的答案是四種。

arguably five, if I've been drinking.

如果喝醉了，勉強算五種。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

(In Italian: With a little bit of wine I can speak Italian.)

（義大利語）我只要喝點酒 就會說義大利語。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Cheers!

謝謝！

But on closer examination, I came up with 83 -- 83 languages,

像這樣放寬標準，我數到大概 83 種

and I got tired and I stopped counting.

就數累了，不數了。

And it forced me to revisit this definition that we have of language.

這讓我重新思考語言的定義。

The first entry said,

第一個定義：

"The method of human communication, either spoken or written,

「人類溝通的方式， 可以是口語或書面形式，

consisting of the use of words in a structured or conventional way."

以詞彙構成，並遵循 特定結構或慣用的方法。

The definition at the bottom refers to specialized fields,

最下面那個定義是針對特定領域，

like medicine, science, tech.

像醫學、科學、技術。

We know they have their own vernacular,

這些領域有自己的術語，

自己的行話。

their own jargon.

But what most interested me was that definition right in the center there:

但我最感興趣的是最中間的那個定義：

「某特定社群或國家 使用的溝通系統。」

"the system of communication used by a particular community or country."

And I'm not interested in altering this definition.

我並不是要修改這個定義，

I'm interested in applying it to everything we do,

而是想把它應用到我們做的每件事上，

because I believe that we speak far more languages than we realize.

因為我相信我們會的語言 遠比自己認為的多。

And for the rest of our time together,

剩下的時間，

I'm going to attempt to speak in one language

我要嘗試說一種語言，

that is native to every single human being in this room.

一種與在座每個人共通的語言。

But that changes things a little bit,

但事情會有點變化，

因為這就不會再是個演講，

because then it's no longer a presentation.

It becomes a conversation,

而是一場對話。

and in any conversation,

在任何對話中，

there must be some sort of interaction.

必須要有些互動。

And for any interaction to happen,

任何互動的發生，

there has to be a degree of willingness on both parties.

需要雙方都有意願參與。

And I think if we just are willing, we will see the magic that can happen

我想只要我們有意願參與， 奇妙的事就會發生。

with just a little bit of willingness.

只要有一絲意願就可以了。

So I've chosen a relatively low-risk common denominator

所以我選擇了一個 較低風險的共通點，

that can kind of gauge if we're all willing.

來測試我們是否都有此意願。

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

如果你覺得很開心，就拍拍手。

(Claps)

（拍手聲）

這就對了！

Now you're talking!

(In Spanish: For all the people who speak Spanish,

（西班牙語）會講西班牙語的人請起立。

please stand up.

And look at a person sitting to your side

（西班牙語）看著坐在 你旁邊的人，然後大笑。

and start laughing.)

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Thank you so much. Please be seated.

很感謝各位，請坐。

Now, if that felt a little bit awkward,

現在，如果你們有點尷尬，

I promise there was no joke being had at your expense.

我保證剛才不是在拿你們開玩笑。

I simply asked the Spanish-speaking audience to stand up,

我只是請會講西班牙語的觀眾起立，

look at a person that was sitting close to them and laugh.

看著坐在他們旁邊的人，然後大笑。

And I know that wasn't nice, and I'm sorry,

我知道這樣有點不禮貌，很抱歉，

but in that moment,

但就在那一刻，

some of us felt something.

有些人會有些感覺。

我們說別人的語言時，

You see, we're often aware of what language does

when we speak somebody's language,

常會感覺到語言的作用，

它能用以聯繫彼此， 它能用以拉近關係。

what it does to connect, what it does to bind.

But we often forget what it does when you can't speak that language,

但我們常忘了不會說那種語言時 所造成的結果；

what it does to isolate, what it does to exclude.

那是一種隔閡和排斥。

And I want us to hold on as we journey through

所以在我們繼續探索語言的過程當中，

our little walk of languages here.

希望大家稍微忍耐一下。

(In Farsi: I'd like to translate the idea of "taarof.")

（波斯語）我想解釋 「taarof」的含義。

I said in Farsi, "I'd like to translate

我剛用波斯語說，我想要解釋 「taarof」 在波斯文化裡的含義。

this idea of 'taarof' in the Persian culture,"

which, really -- it has no equivalent in the English lexicon.

這個字在英語裡沒有同義詞。

The best definition would be something like an extreme grace

最好的解釋就是它是一種極致的優雅，

or an extreme humility.

或者極致的謙恭，

但這樣還是無法完全解釋它的意思，

But that doesn't quite get the job done.

So I'll give you an example.

所以我要舉個例子。

如果兩位紳士在路上碰見，

If two gentlemen were walking by each other,

通常其中一個人會先說：

it'd be very common for the first one to say,

(In Farsi: I am indebted to you),

（波斯語）

which means, "I am indebted to you."

意思是「我虧欠你。」

The other gentlemen would respond back,

另一位則會回答：

(In Farsi: I open my shirt for you)

（波斯語）「我為你敞開衣襟。」

意思是「我為你敞開衣襟。」

which means, "I open my shirt for you."

The first guy would respond back,

先說話的那位就會回答：

(In Farsi: I am your servant)

（波斯語）

意思是「我是你的僕人。」

which means, "I am your servant."

And then the second guy would respond back to him,

第二位會再回他：

（波斯語）

(In Farsi: I am the dirt beneath your feet)

字面上就是

which literally means, "I am the dirt beneath your feet."

「我是你腳下的塵土」的意思。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

如果你腦中還沒有畫面的話， 這圖片讓你參考。

Here's an exhibit for you guys, in case you didn't get the picture.

（笑聲）

(Laughter)

我分享這些，是要各位體會到

And I share that with you, because

with new languages come new concepts that didn't exist before.

伴隨著新的語言而來的， 是從未有過的新思維。

And the other thing is,

此外，

sometimes we think language is about understanding the meaning of a word,

有時我們認為語言在於了解字的含義，

but I believe language is about making a word meaningful for yourself.

但我相信語言是要讓字 對你個人產生意義。

If I were to flash this series of words on the screen,

如果我在螢幕上閃過這串字，

你們當中有些人馬上知道是什麼意思，

some of you, you'd know exactly what it is right away.

Others of you, you might struggle a little bit.

但有些人可能很難找到頭緒。

And I could probably draw a pretty clear-cut line

我應該可以清楚地將這兩種人

right around the age of 35 and older, 35 and younger.

劃分為約 35 歲以上， 和 35 歲以下的人。

And for those of us that are in the know,

對於知道意思的人來說，

we know that's text-speak, or SMS language.

那很顯然是簡訊對話， 或是 SMS 語言。

It's a series of characters meant to convey the most amount of meaning

就是用最少的字元，

with the least amount of characters,

表達最多的含義，

which sounds pretty similar to our definition of languages:

聽起來跟我們給語言的定義非常相近：

「某特定社群使用的溝通系統。」

"system of communication used by a community."

Now, anyone who's ever got into an argument via text

曾用簡訊爭論的人，

can make a case for how it's maybe not the best method of communication,

可能會說這不是最好的溝通方式。

but what if I told you that what you saw earlier

但是如果我告訴你 那是一封現代情書呢？

was a modern-day love letter?

If you follow along:

跟著我一起讀：

"For the time being, I love you lots,

「此時此刻，我愛你很多，

因為你引出我最好的一面，

because you positively bring out all the best in me,

and I laugh out loud, in other words, let's me know what's up.

惹我大笑，換句話說， 告訴我，我們之間是什麼？

'Cause you are a cutie in my opinion, and as far as I know to see you,

因為我覺得我看見的你是小可愛，

如果你沒有和其他人交往，我會開心。

if you're not seeing someone, would make happy.

For your information, I'll be right there forever.

通知你，我會永遠等你，

In any case, keep in touch, no response necessary,

不管怎樣，保持聯絡，不一定要回覆，

all my best wishes, don't know, don't care if anyone sees this.

給你我最好的祝福， 不知道、不在乎別人看見這私訊，

先不說那個，回頭見， 再見了，抱抱和親親，

Don't go there, see you later, bye for now, hugs and kisses,

人生只有一回。」

you only live once."

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Kind of a modern-day Romeo or Juliet.

好像現代版的羅密歐或茱麗葉，

In that moment, if you laughed,

剛才如果你笑了，

you spoke another language that needs no explanation: laughter.

你已經說了另一種 不需要解釋的語言：笑聲。

It's one of the most common languages in the world.

那是世上最通用的一種語言。

我們不需要解釋， 就知道我們都有一樣的感受，

We don't have to explain it to each other, it's just something we all feel,

and that's why things like laughter and things like music are so prevalent,

這就是笑聲和音樂這麼流行的原因，

because they seem to somehow transcend explanation

因為它們似乎能夠超越語言，

and convey a profound amount of meaning.

傳達一種真切的含義。

我們學習的每種語言

Every language we learn is a portal

都是進入另一種語言的通道。

by which we can access another language.

The more you know, the more you can speak.

你知道的語言越多，你會說的就越多。

And it's something common that we all do.

這是我們經常做的事，

We take any new concept, and we filter it through

我們使用心中已成立的現實

an already existing access of reality within us.

來過濾任何新的概念。

And that's why languages are so important,

這就是為什麼語言如此重要，

because they give us access to new worlds,

因為各種語言帶我們通往新的世界，

not just people.

不只是認識更多人。

It's not just about seeing or hearing, it's about feeling, experiencing, sharing.

語言的目的不只在於聽聞， 而是為了感受、體驗、分享。

And despite these languages that we've covered,

除了我們提過的這些語言，

I really don't think we've covered

我覺得我們還沒觸及 意義最深遠的一種語言，

one of the most profound languages,

and that's the language of experience.

那就是「經驗」。

That's why when you're talking with someone,

這就是為什麼當你和某人交談時，

如果他和你有相同的經歷， 你就不需要解釋太多。

if they've shared something you've shared, you don't need to explain it much.

Or that's why, when you're sharing a story and you finish,

或當你分享了一個故事，

談話的對象卻不太能了解，

and the people you're talking to don't quite get it,

我們馬上會補充一句：

the first thing we all say is,

"Guess you had to be there."

「你得親身經歷才會了解。」

I guess you had to be here this week to know what this is about.

同樣的，這週你們也得在這裡， 才會知道這是怎麼回事。

It's kind of hard to explain, isn't it?

有點難解釋，對吧？

And for the sake of our research, I'm going to close by asking

為了進一步測試，

我最後要請你們參與 用「經驗」這種語言的對話。

that you participate one more time in this language of experience.

I'm going to filter through some languages,

我會連串地講幾種語言，

and if I'm speaking your language,

如果我說到了你的語言，

I'm going to ask that you just stand and you stay standing.

請你站起來，不要坐下。

You don't need to ask permission,

你不需要問可不可以，

如果你說這種「經驗」語言，

just let me know that you see me,

and I can also see you

只要讓我知道你看得見我，

if you speak this language of experience.

讓我也看得見你。

Do you speak this language?

你會講這種語言嗎？

When I was growing up in primary school,

我唸小學時，

at the end of the year, we would have these parties,

年終我們都會開一些趴，

我們會投票決定要去主題樂園，

and we'd vote on whether we wanted to celebrate at an amusement park

or a water park.

或是水上樂園慶祝。

And I would really hope the party wasn't at a water park,

我實在不希望去水上樂園，

因為我就得穿泳裝。

because then I'd have to be in a bathing suit.

I don't know about you, but sometimes when I approach a dressing room,

我不知道你們的情況， 但每次我走向更衣室，

我就會不由自主地緊張冒汗，

my sweat glands start activating on their own,

因為我知道泳衣穿在我身上

because I know the garment is not going to look on me

like it did on that mannequin.

不會像穿在模特兒身上一樣好看。

或像這樣的經驗？

Or how about this?

我參加家庭活動或聚會，

When I would go to family functions or family gatherings,

every time I wanted a second plate --

每次我想再來一盤的時候

and I usually did --

——我常要第二盤——

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

it was a whole exercise in cost-benefit analysis,

這時候就會很像成本效益分析，

my relatives looking at me like,

親戚看著我，像在說：

「你真的還要吃嗎？ 你看起來『存糧』很夠了。」

"I don't know. Do you really need that? Looks like you're doing OK there, bud."

Did my cheeks have a big "Pinch me" sign that I didn't see?

我胖胖的臉頰上有寫著 「捏我」的字樣嗎？

如果你在不安的蠕動， 或在笑，或起立了，

And if you're squirming or you're laughing or you stood up,

or you're beginning to stand,

或正要站起來，

you're speaking the language that I endearingly call

表示你也會說

「小胖子成長歷程」的語言。

"the language of growing up a fat kid."

而任何有關體型的問題 都是同類的方言。

And any body-image issue is a dialect of that language.

I want you to stay standing.

站著的人請不要坐下。

Again, if I'm speaking your language, please go ahead and stand.

如果我講到了你的語言，請起立。

Imagine two bills in my hand.

想像我手裡有兩份帳單，

One is the phone bill,

一份是電話帳單，

and one is the electric bill.

另一份是電費帳單，

Eeny, meeny, miny, mo, pay one off, let the other one go,

點啊點叮噹， 繳一份帳單，另一份不理。

which means, "I might not have enough to pay both at the current moment."

意思是說：我可能沒錢 同時繳兩份帳單。

You've got to be resourceful. You've got to figure it out.

你必須要運用機智，設法解決。

And if you're standing, you know the language of barely making ends meet,

如果你起立，你知道 這是勉強維持生計的語言、

of financial struggle.

財務困難的語言。

And if you've been lucky enough to speak that language,

如果你曾說那種幸運的語言，

you understand that there is no motivator of greatness like deficiency.

你會了解物質匱乏 所能帶來的強大動力。

Not having resources, not having looks, not having finances

沒有資源、沒有外表、沒有錢，

就像貧脊的土壤，

can often be the barren soil

from which the most productive seeds are painstakingly plowed and harvested.

經過艱辛的耕耘， 讓撒下的種子有最豐碩的收穫。

I'm going to ask if you speak this language.

你會說這種語言嗎？

The second you recognize it, feel free to stand.

如果你認得這種語言，請起立。

When we heard the diagnosis,

我們等待醫生的診斷，

I thought, "Not that word.

我心想：「不要說那個字。

Anything but that word.

什麼都好，就是不要說那個字。

I hate that word."

我痛恨那個字。」

And then you ask a series of questions:

然後你問了一串問題：

"Are you sure?"

「你確定嗎？」

"Has it spread?"

「擴散了嗎？」

"How long?"

「還能活多久？」

"Doctor, how long?"

「醫生，到底多久？」

And a series of answers determines a person's life.

而這些問題的答案 決定了一個人的生命。

And when my dad was hungry, we'd all rush to the dinner table to eat,

我爸爸肚子餓的時候， 我們會趕到餐桌前吃飯，

because that's what we did before.

因為我們以前都是這麼做。

我們以前一起吃飯， 所以要一直這樣一起吃飯。

We ate together, so we were going to continue doing that.

And I didn't understand why we were losing this battle,

我不懂為什麼我們沒有打贏這場仗，

because I was taught if you fight and if you have the right spirit,

我以前學到的是， 如果你抱著積極的心態努力，

you're supposed to win.

你一定會贏。

And we weren't winning.

但我們沒有贏。

For any of you that stood up,

如果你站起來，

你必然知道我說的這種語言，

you know very well that I'm speaking the language

of watching a loved one battle cancer.

叫做「眼見心愛的人與癌症戰鬥」。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Any terminal illness is a derivative of that language.

所有絕症都是類似的語言。

I'm going to speak one last language.

現在我要說最後一種語言。

Oh -- no, no, I'm listening.

喔，不，不，我在聽。

Yeah, yeah, yeah, no no, no no, me and you, right here, yup.

是是是，不不不不， 我和你，就在這裡，對。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

不，我在聽，我在聽！

No, I'm with ya. I'm with ya!

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Or, imagine the lights are all off and a blue light is just shining in your face

或想像燈都關著， 只有藍光照在你的臉上，

as you're laying on the bed.

你像這樣躺在床上。

And I know some of you, like me,

我知道你們有些人跟我一樣，

不小心把手機砸到自己臉上。

have dropped that phone right on your face.

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

Or this one, right?

或是這樣：

Passenger seat freaking out, like, "Can you watch the road?"

前座乘客緊張地說： 「你看路好嗎？」

And for anybody that stood up,

站起來的人，

you speak the language that I like to call "the language of disconnection."

你會說的是我稱之為「斷線」的語言。

It's been called the language of connection,

有人說這叫「連線」的語言。

but I like to call it the language of disconnection.

但是我喜歡把它叫做「斷線」的語言。

不是普通的斷線， 而是更嚴重的斷線——

I don't mean disconnection, I mean disconnection,

human disconnection,

人的斷線，

disconnected from each other,

人與人之間的斷線，

from where we are, from our own thoughts,

人與現實的斷線， 人與自己思想的斷線，

so we can occupy another space.

然後進入到另一個空間。

If you're not standing,

如果你還沒站起來，

you probably know what it's like to feel left out.

你可能知道被遺落的感覺。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

(Applause)

（掌聲）

You probably -- you know what it's like when everybody's a part of something,

當每個人都有所歸屬，你卻沒有，

and you're not.

你知道那是什麼感覺。

You know what it's like being the minority.

你知道屬於少數人的感覺，

And now that I'm speaking your language,

既然現在我說了你們的語言，

請你們也站起來，

I'm going to ask you to stand,

since we're speaking the same language.

因為我們說的是相同的語言。

Because I believe that language of being the minority

我相信少數人的語言

是你生命中說過最重要的語言之一，

is one of the most important languages you can ever speak in your life,

because how you feel in that position of compromise

因為處於弱勢的感覺

will directly determine how you act in that position of power.

會直接決定當你 掌有權力時的所作所為。

Thank you for participating.

謝謝各位的參與，

If you'd take a seat, I want to speak one last language.

各位請坐下，我要說最後一種語言。

（掌聲）

(Applause)

This one, you don't need to stand.

你們不用站起來。

我只想看看你們 是否認得出這是什麼語言。

I just want to see if you recognize it.

Most the girls in the world are complainin' about it.

世上多數女孩都抱怨這件事，

Most the poems in the world been written about it.

世上多數詩歌都為以它為主題，

Most the music on the radio be hittin' about it, kickin' about it,

廣播裡大部分音樂 都為它鼓譟、為它激動、

為它瘋狂。

or rippin' about it.

Most the verses in the game people spittin' about it,

舞台表演詩都為它傾吐，

世上大部分歌曲都在談論它，

most the songs in the world, people talkin' about it.

Most the broken hearts I know are walkin' without it,

破碎的心靈沒有了它

started to doubt it,

開始信心動搖，

or lost without it.

或因失去它而迷惘。

Most the shadows in the dark have forgotten about it.

黑暗中的陰影都忘卻了它。

Everybody in the world would be trippin' without it.

世上每個人會因為沒有它而顛仆。

每個男孩和女孩會因沒有它而死，

Every boy and every girl will be dead without it,

struggle without it, nothing without it.

因沒有它而掙扎， 因沒有它而失去價值。

Most the pages that are filled are filled about it.

大多的文字，都為它而寫。

["It" = Love]

The tears that are spilled are spilled about it.

淚水都是因它淌下。

The people that have felt it are real about it.

感受過它的人最為真摯。

A life without it, you'd be lost.

生命中沒有它，你會迷失。

When I'm in it and I feel it, I be shoutin' about it.

當我身在其中、感受到它， 我會為它吶喊。

Everybody in the whole world knowin' about it.

世上每個人都知道它，

I'm hurt and broke down and be flowin' about it,

我傷心崩潰、沉浸其中。

goin' about it wrong 'cause I didn't allow it.

我不允許它發生，把事情搞砸了。

沒有它，傷口、疤痕能癒合嗎？

Can the wound or scar heal without it?

它給你的感覺，你藏得住嗎？

Can't the way that you feel be concealed about it?

Everybody has their own ideal about it,

每個人對它都抱著不同的理想，

dream about it,

不同的夢、

appeal about it.

不同的憧憬。

So what's the deal about it?

所以這是怎麼回事？

Are you 'bout it to know that life is a dream

你知道嗎？

沒有它，生命像一場夢， 一切都不真實。

and unreal without it?

但我只是個作家，

But I'm just a writer.

What can I reveal about it?

關於它，我能說些什麼？

[「它」 = 愛]

Why is it that the most spoken-about language in the world

為什麼世上最常被談論到的語言

is the one we have the toughest time speaking or expressing?

是最難說出口、最難表達的？

No matter how many books, how many seminars,

不論讀過多少本書， 參加過多少研討會，

how many life-coaching sessions we go to,

上過多少人生指導課，

we just can't get enough of it.

我們仍然嫌它永遠不夠。

And I ask you now:

現在我再問一次：

Is that number that you had at the beginning, has that changed?

一開始的那個數字變了嗎？

And I challenge you, when you see someone,

我向你挑戰，當你見到某人時，

to ask yourself:

問你自己：

What languages do we share?

我們有什麼共通語言？

And if you don't come up with anything,

如果一個也想不到，

問你自己：我們可以有什麼共通語言？

ask yourself: What languages could we share?

And if you still don't come up with anything,

如果還是沒有頭緒，

ask yourself: What languages can I learn?

再問自己：我可以學什麼語言？

And now matter how inconsequential

此刻，無論這個自我對話

or insignificant that conversation seems at the moment,

聽起來有多麼無足輕重、無關緊要，

I promise you it will serve you in the future.

我保證你未來會因此受益。

My name is Poet Ali. Thank you.

我的名字是詩人阿里。謝謝。

(Applause)

（掌聲）（歡呼聲）