Writing Excuses

19.21: Language as a Tool (A Close Reading on Worldbuilding)

May 26, 2024

Delve into the intricate world of 'A Memory Called Empire' as the hosts discuss the power of language in shaping culture, identity, and narrative development. Explore how words like empire, assimilation, and bomb are used to convey important themes. Unpack the role of language in creating immersive worlds and crafting meaningful literature within fiction.

27:34

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Quick takeaways

Language reflects societal norms and power dynamics in worldbuilding.

Words and names in storytelling convey trauma and emotional depth effectively.

Deep dives

Language as a Cultural Tool

In the podcast episode, the importance of language as a tool for understanding culture and power dynamics is highlighted. Through the discussion of a fictional culture's use of language in the book 'A Memory Called Empire', the complexity and significance of linguistic choices in conveying societal norms and values are explored. For example, the use of specific words and naming conventions in the text demonstrates how language can shape perception, identity, and the hierarchical structures within a society. This deep dive into language usage within the fictional world provides insights into how language reflects and reinforces cultural beliefs and power structures.

Introduction

4min

Exploring Language and Identity in Fiction

9min

Analyzing Names and Language for Deeper Meanings

5min

Crafting Linguistic Immersion in Worldbuilding

9min

Exploring the Role of Language in Narrative Development

4min

What cultural and worldbuilding information is embedded within the smallest of word choices? Today, we dive into three specific sections from throughout Martine’s “A Memory Called Empire”: the word for empire, assimilation and naming, and learning the word for bomb. We unpack how Martine uses language to establish important principles of how the world works.

Thing of the Week:

The Gilded Age - Created and Written by Julian Fellowes Julian Fellows (on HBO Max)

Homework:

Write a scene that describes a fictional piece of literature— whether that's a poem, a song, or a story— that means something to the people in the story you’re telling.

Here’s a link to buy your copy of “A Memory Called Empire” if you haven’t already:

https://bookshop.org/lists/close-readings-season-19

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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