Babel Lecture 2022 with Stephen Fry: 'What we have here is a failure to communicate' (17/06/22)

Babel was honoured to have actor, writer and polymath Stephen Fry give our 10th anniversary Babel Lecture: 'What we have here is a failure to communicate' on Friday 17 June 2022.
Stephen discussed the roots of his love of language, taking in his precocious quoting of Oscar Wilde, the pointlessness of pedantry, and the importance of enjoying your own gift for language.
You can find out more about Babel magazine, read our sampler issues, and subscribe at babelzine.co.uk.
(Stephen discusses a couple of clips in his talk. You can find Fry & Laurie's 'language' sketch online, and the kinetic typography clip on prescriptivism at • Stephen Fry Kinetic Ty... .)

[@andrewg9839]

As an Australian, I find it hard to agree with Brits calling Stephen Fry a national treasure. He is much more than that. He is a treasure to humanity.

[@debrasawarin8869]

I agree wholeheartedly. I admire him tremendously.

[@DB-qw6xq]

Sadly his perception of certain things are clouded by his narrow atheist worldview.

[@difrancophile]

@@DB-qw6xq and so you imply that a believer’s view is more expansive? Please attempt to justify this conceit.

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

@@DB-qw6xq The implication being that Christians do not suffer from a narrow minded point of view?

[@g.m.2427]

@@DB-qw6xq Like insisting that there is actual evidence any gods, or do you prefer people to make up their own reality?

[@youkeepwalking]

As gifted an orator as you will find..and does not talk down to people...he engages, educates, delights and inspires. Humane and talented.

[@readventurekids]

Yes, this is what I find Stephen does better than many people with this level of intelligence. He's uncannily able to use his humility to downplay his own intelligence and empower people, giving them an uplifting feeling and sense of worth. He's ruddy lovely, that bloke.

[@JDavi]

Well said

[@kathrynschauf1784]

All the required assets of a great man.

[@rovcanada1]

I'm totally gobsmacked! I'm a rather uneducated man, but when I heard Stephen mention how hearing those lines from an Oscar Wilde play sent him into a sort of 'eureka!/rhapsody' moment, I couldn't help think of the way I was struck by the writing of Jane Austin. It wasn't the stories so much, but the prose. I was working offshore on an oil platform in the Middle East at the time, and all I could think of was that I couldn't wait to get onshore and phone my Mother, telling her how much Austin's language 'sung' to me. It's an art, and I love it. PS: I can catch a cricket ball ... rather well, in fact!

[@richardadams5716]

This is a man whose funeral I would queue for . A genuine national treasure

[@elizondorj]

I would rather he kept on living forever ;-)

[@brianbuch1]

Only if he were giving the eulogy.

[@sitarnut]

Thirty thousand were reportedly in the queue for Victor Hugo.... Stephen is worthy of 30 million souls.

[@JDavi]

Agreed

[@BlacksmithTWD]

I'd rather queue to hear him talk before that.

[@coulombedon]

Stephen Fry isn't just my favorite Englishman, he's my favorite human.

[@viktorijagjurkovikj4118]

Mine too ❤️

[@ros8986]

me too

[@sarahleonard7309]

I could listen to this man talk for hours. His joy literally brings tears to my eyes. What a delightful expression of human potential!

[@Jason-lw7tk]

He is so admirable. So uniquely intelligent, humorous, kind and graceful. We're all the better for his brilliant existence.

[@mrcrute]

I had a similar experience with language as a kid- my old man used to read me a series of pretty esoteric books about a verbose travelling storyteller called Kai Lung (set in an imaginary version of ancient China). One of the lines I’ve never forgotten comes when a bandit accosts Lai Ling on a lonely road and says “Please allow me to gain more honour than I can reasonably bear by escorting your obviously imperial personage with this inadequate, but heavily loaded, weapon.”

[@garethwilkinson3456]

Grand, and nice to hear it.

[@heliumcalcium396]

Years ago I was part of a story-reading group; we gathered once a week, and took turns reading passages from our favorite books aloud. One evening as we were just setting up, a young woman asked about the book I'd brought, took one look at the cover -- and nearly fell out of her chair. She was an avid reader of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels by Dorothy Sayers, in which LPM and his wife quote the Kai Lung books to each other, and she had always believed that those delightful books were Sayers' inventions as much as Wimsey himself. To see an actual copy of _Kai Lung's Golden Hours_ with her own eyes, to suddenly realize that these books _actually existed,_ was a little too much for her.

[@skirmish23]

I could listen to him for hours, no matter the subject. Such a soothing yet engaging voice

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

Further proof, if further proof were needed, that Stephen Fry is nothing less than a bloody genius!

[@anabellademarchi4325]

Such an eloquent inspirational and empowering speech! As an English user from a non-English speaking background, his message struck a chord. English does belong to everyone!

[@richmotroni]

No one has ever been around Stephen Fry and thought “I am smarter than him.”

[@BlacksmithTWD]

Only because the people who are have better things to think about than 'who is smarter'.

[@paulpeterson4216]

Get this guy in front of a bunch of linguists and he grabs the opportunity to show off his amazing vocabulary with both tonsils. Of course I could listen to Stephen Fry read the phone book, and marvel at how he would never mispronounce any name at all.

[@Neerajexplains]

He is verbal personification of absolute perfection

[@peterc2248]

I so wish that every single English Language teacher in every school watches and learns from this brilliant, brilliant man. That for me was 45 minutes of inspiration, entertainment and education. So many thanks for posting it.

[@jeroendebruyne2165]

As a second language teacher with 20 years under the belt (I don't know whether it is proper English), I agree to the fullest. After just one minute in I thought to myself ... How I would like to see this person teach English to a semi advanced group of second language learners. He would have to adjust for pace, vocabulary and complex instructions. Scarcity makes mastership (do not know whether that is English too). I would really like to see how that goes. Not doubting he would nail it, but very curious how he would do it.

[@mikeleach4201]

Mybug lives!

[@OscarMikeF150]

I love Stephen Fry in every situation that I find him in.

[@creamyy1425]

I’m a huge fan. Thing about him is he can’t seem to get out of his own head. His thoughts are almost consistently self-centered. He doesn’t visit our world but instead invites us to stroll through his head. That’s why I adore him.

[@MM-yi9zn]

Stephen Fry is a rare jewel & a universal treasure. He has such an abundance of talents that it’s impossible to enumerate them. His actual speaking voice is a pleasure to listen to. His knowledge about so many topics is awesome & makes us listen with rapt attention.

[@stuwhite2337]

He's alright but you wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with him

[@alasdairmacarthur5910]

The man is national treasure.

[@Rhyshud]

I was lucky enough to be in the audience. Fantastic experience. Such a shame that the university announced it is closing the linguistics department the next day. Stephen fry is a national treasure, thank you for bring us his profound intellect.

[@tinaa4737]

How ironic.

[@jwvandegronden]

That is not just ironic but borderline criminal to invite Fry knowing far too well it was in vain. I hate that kind of treachery!

[@torenatkinson5708]

What was the A Bit of Fry and Laurie sketch shown? I want to find it on youtube but don't know what to look for

[@jwvandegronden]

@@torenatkinson5708 A Bit of Fry & Laurie Concerning Language kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX66oXuHhpKqh8k

[@Rhyshud]

@@torenatkinson5708 it's called concerning language

[@joaopereiradacosta7602]

Mr Fry’s words are like honey drops to our ears

[@ajinuk2001]

Hopefully the new King ignores the rules and politicians and bestows a long overdue knighthood. Stephen Fry is worth more to our country and culture than many of the other "Sirs" combined

[@thejokingcat783]

My understanding that Fry has been offered a Knighthood multiple times yet he has turned it down.

[@Hospitaller-hospitaliser]

Stephen Fry was offered a knighthood but he turned it down, I don't quite remember why but I think it was something to the effect he didn't want the 'sir' title.

[@nektekket852]

He's accepted an honour from Greece, as it's a republic, but has described the idea of monarchy as "ridiculous" .

[@christopherluke9658]

No one deserves it less

[@stub1256]

@@christopherluke9658 what about Jimmy Saville?

[@dominicbarnard5446]

What heart in a man, A lexicon of phenomenon, A brain of beauty, I know few who would refute it. His love for language inspires all, Allows others to stand tall, Grow within themselves, And revisit book shelves. This master of words, Helps us look upwards, To reach for the stars in the sky, Oh how I love Steven Fry.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

There are few people who write or speak as well as Stephen Fry. Whether its his retelling of the Greek myths in Mythos, Heroes and Troy or reading the words of JK Rowling, I could listen to this man speak for hours.

[@kjrunia]

I feel immensely lucky to have stumbled on his lecture. Thank you for sharing.

[@mariadorothea9506]

Me too 😊

[@sergiocarvalho3681]

All hail the algorithm because "he's" everywhere and it feeds of our previous choices (mostly).

[@annekantola4822]

Hear hear!

[@Pants4096]

"A riot of unplanned, asymmetric variegation" is a beautiful description of the English language. ◡̈

[@carolking6355]

I am 80, I when I was at boarding school aged 8, 3 of us had a bath together every day after school. I was at the top end and read Enid Blyton stories out loud. The girl at the other end would turn on hot water, the girl in the middle would paddle it up to me. One of the VERY few happy memories of living in hell. How I still love words and books. Love you Stephen ❤

[@jasonsearle7832]

I don't always understand what this brilliant man is saying, but damn it I feel all the better for hearing it.

[@user-pt3gi5ul2e]

I only jumped double jump ropes once, to make sure I could; then quit while I was ahead. That's how I felt keeping up with Stephen with my Iowa ears. I toughed it out because he makes my own verbosity seem moderate.

[@BlackHayTV]

This is absolutely wonderful to listen to. What a great speaker and writer. Such wit, humility, and humanity.

[@IfiyeniaSpiliotopoulou]

I would listen for hours to St Fry, talking about anything! He can make any subject immensely interesting

[@shirin4762]

in another (perfect) universe, stephen fry is an english professor, inspiring young minds to find their own voice and just create

[@philipsmith1990]

While encouraging us to play with language, he plays with it in a fascinating way, simultaneously at multiple levls of wit and wisdon. A genius.

[@tuomasprivate6986]

That's 45 minutes of music as good - if not better - as any music ever composed. Such flawless use of the language.

[@jamescarr4662]

Oh calm down

[@dizzydino1]

Genius 💓

[@jonahgerfin4409]

Hello, how are you

[@realistic_delinquent]

“I was discovering new chords, keys, and rhythms to play on the larynx” Music!!!

[@tomr.knudsen3897]

Amazing, when he finished, I could not believe he had been talking for 45 min, could listen to him all day.

[@dewinthemorning]

Wow! Wow!!! Stephen Fry is just wonderful!

[@NoudlePipW]

I'm so, so glad he's better now. Idk what I'd do in a world without Fry!

[@jonahgerfin4409]

Hello, how are you

[@NoudlePipW]

@@jonahgerfin4409 Meh, I'm grand. You?

[@jonahgerfin4409]

@@NoudlePipW I see, sound good where are you from

[@KerryJ]

This is such a delight - it's musical, education, heart warming, delightful - thank you for your generosity in sharing this.

[@jonahgerfin4409]

Hello, how are you feeling today

[@michaelcluskey9279]

As a graduate of University of Huddersfield, a huge fan of the English language's ability to continually morph and adapt to our landscape over time and a constant inquisitor of the ever patient Gordon Byers at said University, I am crestfallen I was unable to attend this lecture. I have parroted many of Fry's talking points over the years to those attempting to shackle my use of our wonderful language. I would then use my complimentary moist lemon scented cleansing square to wipe up afterwards 😀 Thank you for sharing this for us mere mortals to enjoy.

[@pamelagartner3759]

😅 I’ve just watched that Fry and Laurie video!

[@kavorka8855]

Jeeves, you've done it again!

[@abhayphadnis]

14:57 - “Lady Fandermere’s Wind” 😂😂

[@kingy002]

The delivery is as good as the theme. A new original piece by Stephen is always something to behold. Thank you for sharing this with me here in New Zealand.

[@t.p.mckenna]

It was astonishing so it was. I had something to get on with, so almost had in on in the background, and yet I could follow it so well.

[@sitarnut]

Ate this for breakfast here in Amarillo, TX. Stephen is "The Living End" as we used to say.... I suspect more than a few of us would freely give our eyeteeth to sit down for 10 minutes with him... and then, be too embarrassed to open our mouths.

[@demmimorelle4654]

Only a speech Stephen Fry could deliver! Thank you for sharing......very much enjoyed! ❤️🇦🇺🐨

[@smkh2890]

Indeed! a speech only SF could deliver!!

[@trueaussie9230]

Even more important than choosing the 'right' words is ensuring those words are presented in the 'right' order.

[@lincolndiasramos]

Mesmerizingly masterful. Fry sounds to me to be in every way the linguistic personification of absolute perfection.

[@AtrociousNightmare]

Absolutely delightful. I adore Stephen so much.

[@Northcountry1926]

To attend just one of his Presentations … is on my Bucket List 💯‼️

[@aimomar33]

If I attended one of his live presentation there would be no subtitles running on my screen, I’m at loss then!!

[@Rhyshud]

I was there!

[@TheAdekrijger]

Mee eens heerlijke taal Nederlands. Just read Troy and I'm still reading Mythos. Always knew he was a writer, never knew he was a great writer until I picked up some of his books.

[@Kimsta]

"...the lickability of it all" his word choice is heavenly 🥰

[@donnybrasco6321]

Do yourself a stupendous favor and read his autobiography, “Moab Is My Washpot,” to appreciate just how extraordinary is this man. A true National Treasure.

[@waynegerard6338]

N intellectual GIANT, yet humble and modest. And a true lover of humanity and nature.

[@jota893]

I can’t find the words to express my admiration and joy of knowing English and thus marvel at and with Stephen Fry.

[@nneichan9353]

I love this man. Every thing I've ever wanted to say, but lacked the ability to articulate, he has said so beautifully I have also fallen in love with the replay/rewind buttons. And this love makes its appearance in every Fry lecture/speech I've had the pleasure to hear. I'd willingly curl up at his feet to listen. Fry is the person who has made me understand the devotion of students who grouped around famed ancient philosophers, longing for the discourse of the day.

[@LiamDaLemon]

What an oh so very bubbly disquisition, over-spilling with erudition, light and enlightenment. Delightful.

[@dietervonhellstrom9164]

Stephen Fry is the best of us.

[@heatherdepasquale9803]

Always refreshing to hear from Stephen Fry.

[@mikezizis3725]

Thank you, thank you, thank you - may 10,000 thank you's bloom, Stephan! As Dylan Thomas said; " it is only English that can sound at once poetic, scientific, lyrical, harsh, musical, and thunderous."

[@alexj3709]

Bravo Stephen Fry! Your enormous talent and wonderful humility are truely inspiring. Listening to and attempting to grasp and digest the most eloquent flow of words and ideas in this lecture is impossible. Fortunately, we have rewind and replay to help we mere mortals attempt to understand.

[@martincotterill823]

Stephen, you're wonderful!

[@erice5847]

One of the best things I have ever laid ears to thanks for making this available

[@nikotsiopinis9909]

It's a sheer pleasure and delight to be exposed to such a crisp enunciation of English!

[@sheilac5319]

Wonderful! Thank you for making this lecture available.

[@jonahgerfin4409]

Hello, how are you feeling today

[@mihaimoldo]

Thank you Babel for this talk!

[@t.p.mckenna]

I was an immigrant child from Ireland (fifty years ago a couple of weeks back) and brought with me 'fillum' and 'haitch'. Alas, the 'fillum' as it was to go as it was too conspicuous, but the 'haitch' clung until my varsity when I finally traded it for 'aitch', and yet now, almost no one I know uses it.

[@johnhallissey3411]

Some of your fillums were very good

[@johnhallissey3411]

The Irishman is no fool: after going to the trouble of learning his spellings, he's not going to let anyone pull the wool over his eyes with talk of silent letters and syllables.If you don't want it pronounced, why put in in there in the first place?

[@louisadigrazia1285]

Wonderful wonderful wonderful! Thank you❤

[@babelzine]

Our pleasure Louisa, we're glad to hear you enjoyed Stephen Fry's talk!

[@robertd.carver6240]

Absolutely riveting! Who would have thought that a 45-minute lecture on language would have been so fascinating or so vital an analysis of not only dialectics and all the rest, but of our humanity?

[@jameswest8280]

My gratitude to years of British television, therefore and henceforth, preparing me for the comprehension of the soliloquy articulated by esteemed gentleman.

[@brightmal]

Once again, listening to Fry generates happiness.

[@joycarmichael1476]

Stephen Fry talks to us all because we all speak some or other language. I love that we are able to express ourselves in language. Thank you sir.

[@rajo741]

Entertaining, engaging, educating and just all round a lovely, kind and playful soul. He makes the world richer.

[@naderkhalfan9067]

Bloody marvelous.

[@ashroskell]

I am imbued with a refreshed respect for my mother tongue. I think all people are at their most entertaining and compelling when they speak of the things they love rather than decry the things they loath, which is what so much of the internet and KZbin comment sections in particular have become for in the minds of so many. The sheer charm of enthusiasm is something we should celebrate more of, without cynicism or suspicion. Just the joy of something shared and understood. Thank you, Stephen.

[@paulbeades6681]

A Master perfectly demonstrating his craft. Don't you just Love Stephen Fry.

[@BeatlemaccaAR]

Listening to Stephen is always an absolute pleasure 🥰

[@jonahgerfin4409]

Hello, how are you

[@readventurekids]

Mesmerising, as always. Such a treat to share a chunk of the timeline of life with Stephen as part of it. Just love him to bits.

[@reinertl]

Stephen Fry is the British Steve Allen. They're both brilliant in many fields.

[@watch-box]

I was once asked which three people (alive or dead) I would like to have lunch with. My answer was "Stephen Fry......" ........ After a while I was asked "...so, who else?" "Why would I want to share him?" I replied.

[@JoelHouck]

Oh Stephen, you are so magnificent. I wept like a little girl at the suffix of your presentation. What a treasure you are. You are the celebrity, living or dead, that I would most like to have to dinner. You are the perfect guest at a Japanese tea ceremony where the formality of the performance dumbfounds even the host while holding the profound knowledge that the entire purpose of the ritual is paradoxically the honoring of the guests. You are the epitome of the definition of the "true gentleman" as defined at the conclusion of the first act of my one man show Southern Freud Chicken. "boys a true gentleman is simply this, someone who makes everyone else in the room feel more at ease. Thanks for that Mr Fry. Xx

[@knudsandbknielsen1612]

This excellent lecture gives me the impression, theat the Danish "Jante Law" was imported from England. But then again, England is Anglo-Saxon, and Anglia is not just an old car, but also the southern part of the Jutland peninsula.

[@rogeratygc7895]

Interesting! Isn't it curious that "Anglia" is there, while "_East_ Anglia" is across the North Sea... many miles to the West!

[@johnlgordon]

I just had so much fun listening to this lecture.

[@cpnlsn88]

Not going to lie. That's a great speech. Should be printed and published.

[@Crazyrat84]

What a gift to the human collectiv, amazing!

[@richardhall206]

What a joy it is to listen to Stephen Fry. I love his writing as well.

[@joefelicianomarques9380]

Pure magic.

[@henriettejosephine]

What a pleasure to listen to!

[@waynejones6535]

Imagine, if you will, just how enriched this sadening world could be with just a few more Stephen Fry[s] ...

[@pazitor]

Masterful, and humbling. I am both delighted and abashed.

[@davidbarton6095]

Simply fantastic.

[@alisonmcshannon1196]

Let's talk and talk about talking and words and love it 😍

[@linaselezneva8430]

What a pleasure!

[@jonahgerfin4409]

Hello, how are you feeling today

[@cantantephoto8696]

He walked the walk as well as talked the talk, his presentation being a perfect example of the actual subject itself…or is it “it” ? Loved the London Paris analogy. Bravo to you or “yourself”. Thank you Stephen.

[@DominicDSouza]

So many comments here that I wholeheartedly agree with. Stephen Fry is truly a treasure but also continues to help guide us to our higher sense of who we are and who we should aspire towards.

[@paulbannon498]

He is of our time, but in an old fashioned way and makes me smile ( ah the whiskey has kicked in ) Keep on keeping on Stephen 😃

[@Rachaelshaw7]

"hands to sign" Thank you ❤

[@BetterBedtimeStories]

Stephen! I’ve missed you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@brianfreeman8290]

Like the late Dr Sir Jonathon Miller CBE, Stephen is an absolute joy to listen to, regardless of the subject matter.

[@anafegarciaenebral1843]

Thank you, Stephen.🙏🏻☺️

[@iambiggus]

Jodie: "Hoodezfield!" Kevin: "Hahaha!"

[@sorenjames2310]

Wonderfully inspiring, thank you

[@_Michiel_]

Oh, the eloquence and wit of this lovely man! ❤