What Does It Mean to Have a Voice?
Some sporadic thoughts on “voice”
One of the most valuable possessions you have is your voice. I was reminded of this fact in an unpleasant way. A head-cold this week has left me coughing and spluttering. Much to my embarrassment and frustration, this meant that I often struggled to speak. I lost my voice. But, if having a voice is such a valuable possession, I often take it for granted.
The use of our voices is so integral to the way we communicate with one another. When we were infants, we used to cry and flail our limbs, but now one of the chief means of signification that we employ is the use of language. My brother, Ollie, can’t speak. As a result of his disability, he is unable to communicate through speech in the way that many of us can, and many of us take for granted. When Ollie is afraid or in pain, the only way he can communicate that to me is by reaching out and grabbing me and not letting go. It’s the only way he can tell me how he feels. It’s all he’s ever known.
Then there are those who can speak, but don’t have a voice. These are the marginalised and oppressed of our world. Those who go unheard, unsupported, and unrepresented because of various and manifold injustices. Your mind probably jumps over seas to far-flung lands, but it’s also right here on our doorstep. So much could be (and should be) said here, but just consider this: Someone who sells the Big Issue magazine on the street might not have one good conversation in a single day. Likewise the elderly. And others too, socially isolated for want of nearby family or friends.
There is great power in a person’s voice. That’s why we have, throughout history, marvelled at great orators and looked to them for wisdom and leadership. That’s why people take elocution lessons. That’s why we speak differently depending on with whom we speak, varying accent, range of vocabulary, and style of expression.
In the English language we have the expression, “Find your voice!” Here, voice is understood to be synonymous with passion, with gift, and with contribution. What is that one thing you can offer the world like no-one else can? What legacy do you want to leave behind? How do you want to be remembered? All this, and more, is contained in the three words, “Find your voice.”
Augustine, of the third and fourth century, offers beautiful meditations on the use of our voices, speech, and language. In his Confessions, he recalls his inability to speak as an infant, his education in Greek and Latin, the literature and ideas that influenced him, and his training in rhetoric and oratory. Underpinning all of this is a discussion on the wrong ways and right ways to use language. For instance, covering up one’s misbehaviour in lucid, slippery prose does not make up for the bad deed.
Another example from Augustine is worth quoting: “But in these words what have I said, my God, my life, my holy sweetness? What has anyone acheived in words when he speaks about you? Yet woe to those who are silent about you because, though loquacious with verbosity, they have nothing to say” (Conf. 1.5.5). Our speech about God will always be inadequate, by nature of our temporality and finitude. We can never fully grasp God. But still, it is better to try to speak about God, to make a mere attempt, than to busy ourselves speaking nonsense about trivial things. As a theology student, this gives me hope.
Finally, in this sporadic mediation on voice, an old Jewish poem comes to mind. This poem, likely written to be recited or sung in a liturgical context, discusses the voice of God. If there is power in our voices, how much more the voice of God, the one who speaks the world into creation and gives life by his own breath. If our voice is such a valuable possession, how much more precious it is when God Himself speaks.
“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty… The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire…The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’” (Psalm 29)
Thank you for reading. The Coffeehouse Cleric is a Medium publication dedicated to asking the big questions of life. It features writing on three main areas: minimalism, spirituality, and learning. If you enjoyed this piece and it helped you in any way, please do share it with friends and family.