Even though I now speak the language fairly well, the spoken language doesn't help me. A conversation involves a sort of collaboration and, often, an act of forgiveness. When I speak I can make mistakes, but I'm somehow able to make myself understood. On the page I am alone. The spoken language is a kind of antechamber with respect to the written, which has a stricter, more elusive logic.
Jhumpa Lahiri reflects on her experiences with language, noting that while her spoken skills have improved, they do not fully ease her communication challenges. She describes conversation as a collaborative effort that allows for mistakes and mutual understanding. In contrast, writing presents a solitary struggle, where she feels the weight of precision and accuracy unlike in spoken exchanges.
She draws a comparison between the spoken and written forms of language, suggesting that speaking serves as a preparatory step before engaging with the more complex and demanding nature of writing. This insight underscores the emotional and intellectual hurdles she faces in expressing herself on paper, highlighting her journey as a writer grappling with language and expression.
