The Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'English' by Sanaz Toossi on Broadway dives into the emotional and humorous struggles of language learning. Set in an Iranian TOEFL prep class, it follows four students and their teacher, addressing the challenges of expressing one's true self in a foreign language. The nuanced performances showcase both comedic elements and somber realities, ultimately leading to the realization that fluency doesn’t guarantee authentic self-expression. Director Knud Adams discusses the innovative narrative device used to illustrate language dynamics, emphasizing the profound impact on the audience's understanding and engagement with the characters' experiences.
At the last minute, the characters flip to speaking real Farsi-which I think is perfect. Farsi speakers in the audience have told me how meaningful this moment is.
One might become fluent but still struggle to truly express themselves authentically. This play portrays the complex relationship between language and identity.
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