Le parole | Alessandro Greco | TEDxPescara

TEDx Talks

1 Jun 201819:52

Summary

TLDRThe speaker passionately discusses the beauty and richness of the Italian language, highlighting its vast vocabulary compared to English. He shares a deeply personal story about his father's love for crossword puzzles and how it led to a realization of the language's limitations in describing profound human experiences, such as the loss of a child. The narrative then shifts to his own life-changing experience when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He recounts the emotional and physical journey through treatment, the birth of his second child, and the life lessons he learned from his son. The speech concludes with a powerful message about living life fully, cherishing loved ones, and the importance of forgiveness and making amends in the present.

Takeaways

🌟 The beauty and richness of the Italian language, with its approximately 270,000 words, showcases the depth of human expression.
📚 The Italian language's complexity is highlighted by the various forms words take, such as verb conjugations and noun declensions.
🔍 Despite the vast vocabulary in Italian, there is no single word to describe the loss of a child, reflecting the unspeakable nature of such a tragedy.
💔 The loss of a child is considered the greatest human sorrow, defying logic, nature, and even the extensive Italian lexicon.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker's personal story of receiving the news of his brain tumor while with his family illustrates the sudden and life-altering impact of such diagnoses.
🚑 The medical process following the diagnosis, including a brain biopsy and subsequent treatments, underscores the challenges and uncertainties faced by patients.
🌈 The speaker's determination to live and fulfill his role as a father, despite the grim prognosis, highlights the power of the human spirit and familial bonds.
🍂 The advice to 'live in the now' and prioritize meaningful experiences over trivial pursuits is a recurring theme, inspired by the speaker's brush with mortality.
🏃 The importance of dynamism and积极性 in life is emphasized, as well as the value of cherishing time spent with loved ones.
💭 The transformative power of a child's perspective is shared, as the speaker's son inspires him to seek a more fulfilling and active life.
🤗 The call to action to forgive and seek forgiveness, to cherish moments with family, and to live authentically is a poignant conclusion to the speaker's narrative.

Q & A

What is the speaker's initial statement about the Italian language?
-The speaker expresses his love for the magic of words and the beauty and richness of the Italian language, which has around 270,000 lexical units or semi-words.
How does the speaker describe the Italian language in comparison to English?
-The speaker compares Italian to English, noting that Italian has approximately 2 million words, while the Oxford English Dictionary contains about 615,000 words, indicating that Italian is richer in vocabulary.
What is the significance of the word 'smargiasso' in the context of the speech?
-The word 'smargiasso' is used to illustrate the existence of a specific Italian word for describing someone who boasts about invented abilities or deeds, showcasing the language's precision and detail.
Why does the speaker mention the absence of a word for 'losing a child' in Italian?
-The speaker believes it is appropriate that there is no specific word for 'losing a child' in Italian, as it is an unbearable and inexpressible pain that cannot be encapsulated in a single term.
What personal event does the speaker recall while driving with his family?
-The speaker recalls a day when he was driving with his wife and their one-year-old daughter, anticipating the birth of another child, which was a particularly happy moment for them.
How does the speaker describe the moment he realized his life changed drastically?
-The speaker describes the moment as hearing a buzzing sound explode in his head, which was followed by a racing heart and an out-of-control shaking of his left hand.
What medical condition does the speaker reveal he was diagnosed with?
-The speaker reveals that he was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumor, which is a serious and aggressive form of cancer.
What advice did the oncologist give the speaker regarding his future and family planning?
-The oncologist advised the speaker to undergo chemotherapy cycles and, if he wanted more children, to freeze his sperm immediately, as chemotherapy could make it problematic to have more children in the future.
What life lesson does the speaker's son teach him through the phrase 'papà, guardare d'acqua'?
-The phrase 'papà, guardare d'acqua' (Dad, look at the water) teaches the speaker to appreciate the simple things in life, to focus on what truly matters, and to live each day fully and actively.
What is the 'magic word' the speaker uses to conclude his talk?
-The 'magic word' the speaker uses to conclude his talk is 'adesso' (now), emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment and making amends or expressing love without delay.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Beauty and Richness of the Italian Language

The speaker expresses his love for the magic of words, a passion inherited from his father who was an avid reader and enthusiast of enigmatic puzzles. He narrates an anecdote where his father was solving a crossword puzzle aloud, highlighting the beauty of the Italian language with its approximately 270,000 lexical units and the various forms words can take. The speaker marvels at the richness of the language, which has specific words for many unique situations but lacks a single term to describe the loss of a child, emphasizing the unspeakable pain such a loss would cause.

05:03

🚗 A Chaotic Drive and the Unexpected Turn of Events

The speaker recounts a family drive to lunch with his wife and young daughter, during which his daughter's crying in the car led to a sudden and disorienting episode. His wife's calm response to the situation foreshadows a more significant event. The speaker compares the experience to a scene from the TV show 'House M.D.', where a sudden noise leads to a dramatic collapse. In his case, the 'buzz' he heard was a metaphor for the explosion of a brain tumor, leading to a life-changing diagnosis and a race against time to seek treatment.

10:04

🏥 A Life-Altering Diagnosis and the Will to Fight

After being diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumor, the speaker faces a grim prognosis and a challenging treatment path. He undergoes 28 cycles of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which he describes as grueling. Despite the physical toll, his determination to live for his family, especially his unborn child, fuels his resilience. He shares a poignant moment when his son is born, and he reflects on the profound life lessons his son has already taught him in such a short time.

15:05

🌟 Living Life Fully and the Lesson from a Child

The speaker emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest, inspired by his son's wish for him to be dynamic and active. He shares the wisdom his son imparted, urging him to cherish every moment and to prioritize family and meaningful experiences over trivial pursuits. The speaker reflects on the human tendency to focus on superficial matters and the potential to shift focus towards more significant contributions. He concludes with a powerful message about the magic of the word 'now', encouraging immediate action to reconcile and cherish loved ones before it's too late.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Language

The term 'Language' refers to a system of communication using words, grammar, and syntax. In the context of the video, the speaker expresses a deep appreciation for the Italian language, highlighting its beauty and richness. The speaker's love for language was influenced by his father, an avid reader and crossword enthusiast. The Italian language, with its approximately 270,000 lexical units, is contrasted with the English language, which has around 615,000 words in the Oxford English Dictionary.

💡Emotions

Emotions are the feelings and affective states that individuals experience in response to various stimuli. In the video, the speaker's emotions are central to his narrative, as he recounts personal experiences that evoke strong feelings such as love, joy, fear, and sorrow. His emotional journey is intertwined with the themes of family, loss, and the appreciation of life.

💡Family

Family refers to a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, who often live together and provide emotional and financial support to one another. In the video, the concept of family is deeply significant, as the speaker's story revolves around his relationships with his parents, his wife, and his children. The family serves as a source of strength and motivation for the speaker, especially during challenging times.

💡Loss

Loss refers to the state of being deprived of or of being without something that one has had, often something that is greatly missed. In the video, the speaker experiences the profound loss of a child, which is a central and recurring theme. This loss is depicted as an immense and life-altering event that deeply affects the speaker and his family.

💡Life's Purpose

Life's purpose refers to the reason or justification for which something exists or is done. In the video, the speaker grapples with the meaning of life, especially in the face of adversity and loss. He ultimately concludes that life's purpose is to live fully, to appreciate the present, and to prioritize what truly matters.

💡Courage

Courage is the ability to face fear, pain, danger, or difficulty with confidence. In the video, courage is a key theme as the speaker talks about his battle with a brain tumor and the strength he found to continue living for his family. It's also about the courage to let go of trivial matters and to embrace life's true essence.

💡Appreciation

Appreciation refers to the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. In the video, the speaker expresses his appreciation for life, his family, and the simple joys that he once took for granted. This appreciation grows stronger after his personal experiences with illness and loss.

💡Legacy

Legacy refers to something that is left behind, inherited, or handed down from one generation to another. In the video, the speaker reflects on the legacy he wants to leave for his children, emphasizing the importance of living a meaningful and fulfilling life.

💡Choice

Choice refers to the act of selecting or deciding between two or more possibilities. In the video, the concept of choice is highlighted as a powerful tool that individuals have to shape their lives, especially in the face of adversity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices that align with one's values and desires.

💡Time

Time refers to the measurable period that can elapse and is used to order past, present, and future events. In the video, the speaker reflects on the value of time, especially after realizing its fragility due to his health condition. He encourages viewers to use their time wisely and to prioritize what truly matters.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning someone for a wrong done, ceasing to feel resentment against someone. In the video, forgiveness is presented as a powerful choice that can lead to personal liberation and emotional healing. The speaker urges the audience to practice forgiveness as a means to let go of past hurts and to live a more fulfilling life.

Highlights

The speaker's love for the magic of words, inspired by his father's passion for reading and crossword puzzles.

The richness of the Italian language, with approximately 270,000 lexical units and over 2 million speakable and writable words.

The absence of a single Italian word to describe the loss of a child, reflecting the unspeakable pain such a loss entails.

The speaker's personal story of receiving the news of his wife's pregnancy while driving with his young daughter.

The sudden and unexpected health crisis the speaker experiences, symbolized by the sound of a bumblebee exploding in his head.

The detailed description of the speaker's emergency hospital visit and the medical procedures he undergoes.

The diagnosis of a high-grade brain tumor and the complex emotions and decisions that follow.

The speaker's determination to fight the disease for the sake of his family, especially his unborn child.

The importance of cherishing every moment and living life to the fullest, as imparted by the speaker's son.

The transformative power of a child's perspective in teaching the speaker to view life from a different angle.

The speaker's realization of the true value of life, which lies in love, connection, and appreciation for the simple joys.

The metaphor of the 'sheep flock' to describe the monotony and lack of purpose in many people's lives.

The speaker's newfound appreciation for the small things in life after facing a life-threatening illness.

The call to action to embrace life's adventures and to prioritize family and meaningful experiences.

The profound impact of the book 'Shantaram' on the speaker's understanding of love, destiny, and life choices.

The concept of freedom and choice in the face of adversity, as experienced during a moment of torture.

The importance of forgiveness and making amends in the present moment, encapsulated by the word 'now'.