The language of being human | Poet Ali

You speak far more languages than you realize, says Poet Ali. In a profound talk, he reveals how the idea of "language" goes far beyond a lexicon of words, communicating universal experiences like love, laughter and loneliness -- and serving as a portal to cultures, feelings and thoughts that unite us all.

[mar]

Right now I'm speaking the speechless language ... This TED Talk is art

[quynhanhle]

Most the girls in the world are complaining about it,
Most the poems in the world have been written about it,
Most the music on the radio is hitting about it,
kicking about it, or ripping about it,

Most the verses in the game people are spitting about it,
Most the songs in the world people are talking about it,
Most the broken hearts in the world, I know, are walking without it,
started to doubt it, or lost without it,

Most the shadows in the dark have forgotten about it,
Everybody in the world would be tripping without it,
Every boy and every girl would be dead without it,
struggle without it, nothing without it,

Most the pages that are filled are filled about it,
The tears that are spilled are spilled about it,
The people that have felt it are real about it,
A life without it would be lost,

When I'm in it and I feel it, I am shouting about it,
Everybody in the whole world knowing about it,
I’m hurt and broke down be flowing about it,
going about it wrong, because I didn’t allow it,

Can’t a wound or scar heal without it,
Can’t the way that you feel be concealed about it,
Everybody has their own ideal about it,
dream about it, appeal about it.

So what’s the deal about it? Are you about it?
To know that life is a dream and unreal without it?
Everything that you feel is surreal about it,
But I’m just a writer, what can I reveal about it?”

Poet Ali

[dua_junaid]

*He is brilliant.* One of the most captivating people I've ever watched, communicating the most important ideas. So glad I found this TedTalk!

[tvbrain]

the way this guy speaks is like listening to a song. when i am home by myself i turn on this speak to put as background noise. so comforting

[Kookie-zvbu]

It's been such a long time since a ted talk has made me cry

[davidlloyd]

It is so rare for someone to introduce a new paradigm; a way of looking at things that has not been expressed. Ali does this so well here. Not only does he use language masterfully, but he has changed the way I look at interaction.

[ZeeshanHaiderSyed]

Definitely one of my fav Ted Talks....

[nathanvanveen]

This was so emotionally strong, tears starting dripping from my eyes...

[emaffett]

Poet Ali, heard and understood! Your "It" is so simple even a child could understand (another language). Beautiful. Just beautiful!
Thank you.

[xComfortIsAMysteryx]

♥️ Your melodic style of speaking gave me chills. Such a great message.🦋

[peghume]

As soon as he said “the second you recognise it feel free to stand” I just knew it would be about cancer. The journey of cancer is one of the most horrible journeys anyone could go through. My mum battled and lost 2 years ago. My heart goes out to everyone who has battled with that ❤

[adrianr]

Why are there still wars on Earth when there's this kind of wisdom available?

[Lil-pldt]

Wow, from a lover of learning new languages this really opened me to a new perspective. One of the best ted talk I've ever seen

[JobKiriaku]

This speech is brilliant. I was only watching it to complete an assignment, but this speech is pretty amazing.

[karlchandran]

Language and communication is what drives us in life. Whether it is done with the use of a tongue, a touch of the hand, a look of the eye. That is the beauty of language. Language has the ability to allow connection to take place.
To have a language is to possess a soul.
Commonality is achieved when communication takes place.
This video was a pleasure to watch!

[latote]

He did the same talk in 2014... but whenever I listen to the last part of the talk... my heart melts

[getachoterrefe]

Breath-taking speech. Maybe the best speech I have ever seen on Tedtalk.

[lenguyendieulinh]

This is one of the most wonderful talks I've ever watched at TED. He is beyond brilliance.

[vajeehabidi]

Is it normal to watch a Ted talk repeatedly for 7, 8 times and still can't have enogh of it?. I am sure I need a Ted talk for my addiction to Teds. Absolutely love the brilliance this man Ali exudes with his sheer depth, originality and eloquence.

[narrativegatherer]

Man, I remember when I saw his TEDx talk. It's great that TED asked him to repeat his great TEDx talk.