A few milliseconds before I type these words, I am thinking in my head. And a few milliseconds after you are reading these words, you are processing them in your head. You are drawing meaning from small markings on a digital computer screen and you are able to do this because these markings are the written form of our common language. The neurological basis for how language is processed by the human brain is still somewhat of a mystery – while we are able to identify certain brain areas that are definitely involved through fMRI studies, particularly Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, we are still somewhat boggled by how the brain can turn very physical and real cues into mental and abstract understanding. The concept of language is especially prominent in Snow Crash, where it is treated as a virus. In the Tower of Babel story, Asherah attempts to create a homogenous language, threatening the entire human race because a universal language would not protect against a disaster that targeted said language. Biological diversity is absolutely essential to successful evolution of a species. We know this much – language is essential to mankind as a basis for communication. But how much deeper than simple communication does the function of language serve?
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The entire idea of language fascinates me. Your post pretty much sums up exactly why — our ability to turn thoughts in our mind into speech and accurately convey that to someone else is almost uncanny. Language is incredibly important to our development as a species, without it we wouldn’t be where we are now. In fact, I believe language to be the biggest separator between humans and the development of other species. Our ability to communicate is a fundamental component of our advancement as a society. Without language, we would most certainly still be living in an archaic world. Language is interesting because it is always in flux, always changing, and our ability to expand our vocabulary in this way is amazing. Language is likewise an important part of Snow Crash. One specific moment where language serves a crucial role, is when Hiro is attempting to gain information from the librarian computer program. There is a limited amount of information the program can understand and convey back, therefore Hiro must be careful and deliberate with the questions he asks. He must be a master of language here, and manipulate it into his bidding (108). A perfect example of the power of language as mans greatest tool.
The parallel between the Tower of Babel in Snow Crash and the original biblical anecdote is interesting in the observation of language. In the Biblical tale, God eliminated the homogeneous language, while in Snow Crash, a homogenous language is being created. In the Biblical story, the one language was eradicated because human beings wanted to be on the same level as God. There is something about the ability to communicate with one another and being able to create something as a community that is an empowering experience, and language, whether verbal or not, facilitates that type of relationship between individuals.
On the other side, language can behave as a barrier. In the same Biblical story, the different languages made it difficult for the individuals to communicate, which was God’s goal when he separated them.
Language is a fundamental part of culture and humanity as a while. The ability to communicate is not only one of the most important aspects of human contact, but can also determine the success or failure of group efforts.
Aside from communication, language serves as a means of empowerment. In the hands of the people, it liberates; in the hands of a ruler, it controls. Snow Crash specifically situates language as such through the mind-body binary that manifests itself in the Metaverse and real world, respectively, within Stephenson’s universe.
Consider fiber optics monopolist L. Bob Rife. He exerts dominance physically over people, both employed hackers and rescued refugees; nature, his Raft and its artificial presence; and the Metaverse, access to and availability of cyber connection. However, what Rife lacks in his empire is the ability to control information—specifically, the human mind. While Rife can detain people and manipulate their bodies through drugs, torture, and viruses, he cannot control their minds without physically destroying their bodies (338). The various franchises that occupy the new American setting further reflect this idea of control over a physical space—boundaries, borders, and divisions—but an inability to influence how bodies permeate these walls, bodies with dynamic and fluid minds.
With language, though, Rife approaches a terminal point of control. By wielding language and manipulating it, Rife shatters the supposed binary between the body and mind, commanding the bodies of the masses not only through physical action but also through mind control. A single, uniform language allows Rife to extend his empire, to further monopolize power by consolidating language, and to remove the threat of autonomous, free thinking people (398). Without a means of expression, the people no longer have the means to assert themselves and their voices, and as such, Rife becomes capable of achieving world domination by eliminating the faculty of thought.
In sum, different languages empower people to think and express themselves independent of any external influence. Conversely, a singular language held by a tyrant limits thought and self-expression and thus exercises absolute control.