The Weight of Words

Linguist Michael Erard says that a child’s first words and a dying person’s last words exist on a Möbius-strip of beginnings and endings where “parallels emerge and then fade while asymmetries persist.” In his new book, “Bye Bye I Love You: The Story of Our First and Last Words,” Erard compiles stories from medical archives and ancient texts as well as first-hand accounts by doctors and doulas. He joins us to talk about the power these words have on us. And we hear from you: Do you have a story about a loved one’s first or last words?

Guests:

Michael Erard, author, linguist

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