Book Review
Words at the Threshold: What We Say as We’re Nearing Death, by Lisa Smartt
Enigmatic. Nonsensical. Out of this world.
Perhaps these are the words you have heard others use to describe the language produced by a loved one nearing their final moments in life. It is not uncommon for confused caregivers to describe an increasing incomprehensibility in the language of the dying. With talks of visions, unfathomable and illogical expressions, and references to seemingly random concepts or events only they understand, the words of the dying are often so inexplicable that they may as well be speaking a completely different, constructed language of their own.
But what if these seemingly nonsensical expressions are, in fact, not a demonstration of deteriorating cognitive and linguistic ability, but a window into the experience of what it means to be dying and of the possibility of life after death? Is there a deeper meaning or order to the mysterious words of those who know that they have reached their final stage in life? And why is this supposed decline in lucidity nearly universal?
I’d pondered over these questions before encountering this book; questions which were perhaps better left unasked in a society where death is often a taboo topic. And when such questions are avoided for fear of ridicule or just a fear of the unknown, open sharing and healthy discussion on the apparent changes in the mental and linguistic clarity of loved ones before they pass on are often lacking, leaving many confused and searching for answers long after.
Launched on 15 March 2017, Words at the Threshold examines these questions and offers refreshing and often surprising insight on the world and language of those on the border of death. In this recent publication, author and linguist Lisa Smartt approaches the complex study of death and dying through the lens of language, marrying research in linguistics, psychology, palliative medicine, and neuroscience to illuminate our understandings of terminal illness and the cognitive processes behind it. Baffled and inspired by a personal experience of her father’s language change in the days leading to his passing, Smartt’s work is an analysis of her collection of over 1,500 English utterances from those on their deathbeds. It reveals profound trends in the very words often dismissed as manifestations of hallucination or cognitive decline.
Because humans are sense-making creatures, seemingly unintelligible language often goes unnoticed or disregarded by those who hear it, explains Smartt, but final words are significant as they deeply reflect who we are and what matters most to us. The words of the dying reveal a path of consciousness as they make sense of what is happening to them and their experiences. As this book uncovers, these often involve journeying into a world beyond the literal and present, where realities may be non-linear and transcend the logic of human knowledge and imagination.
What kind of language might you use to describe the experience of dying? For most, this is a completely new encounter and for which the listener has no reference point. It is, moreover, at this point where the perceptions of reality for listener and speaker diverge, and that experience transcends the descriptions literal language has to offer. When language, as we use it to describe our world, cannot convey something that goes beyond the five senses, perception can only be described imaginatively and figuratively. For example, talks by the dying of preparing for a great event or a journey, in the form of expressions like “I am getting ready for the big dance” or “He’s waiting to play golf with me. They need a fourth”, understandably make no sense to listeners.
However, as Smart explains, these are in fact common metaphors found in the attempt to use language ill-equipped to describe their liminal experiences. They are figures of speech which challenge our taken-for-granted conceptualisations of reality. By the end of the book, it is easy to see that the babbling of those at the final point in their lives are so much more than that, and that we have barely skimmed the surface in our efforts to discover and make sense of the previously unfathomable experiences and possibilities of the inevitable—death.
Smartt’s book is thus a culmination of systematic analyses on end-of-life communication. It uses examples from ordinary people, chronicling and elucidating the linguistic themes and patterns in the speech of those leaving this world behind. In so doing, her research not only opens up discussions on how we perceive dying, but also on how we think about living, and provides invaluable explanation and guidance on how “we ourselves can be both guides and tourists as we journey with those we love to the portal”.
While the experiences in her book were collected from the United States and Canada and focused on English, further exploration through drawing comparisons from other communities and languages would also be interesting and insightful in yielding a greater understanding of what it means to live and pass on, universally and culture-specifically. Nonetheless, Words at the Threshold has the potential for profound implications on the care of terminally ill patients and their loved ones, and is a wonderful, comprehensible, and sensitive starting point to a topic and experience that many, including myself, have found hard to approach.
90 Responses to “Making sense of final words [Book Review]”
Chirurgie Tunisie
Chirurgie Tunisie
[…]we like to honor quite a few other online web sites on the web, even when they arent linked to us, by linking to them. Beneath are some webpages really worth checking out[…]
National Chi Nan University
National Chi Nan University
[…]usually posts some incredibly interesting stuff like this. If you are new to this site[…]
قسم العقاقير والنباتات الطبية
قسم العقاقير والنباتات الطبية
[…]the time to study or go to the subject material or web-sites we have linked to below the[…]
طب الاسنان المعاصر
طب الاسنان المعاصر
[…]the time to study or stop by the subject material or sites we’ve linked to beneath the[…]
mission computer science
mission computer science
[…]here are some hyperlinks to sites that we link to mainly because we think they are worth visiting[…]
Letters of recommendation for future university
Letters of recommendation for future university
[…]Here are several of the web-sites we suggest for our visitors[…]
برنامج إدارة الأعمال في مصر
برنامج إدارة الأعمال في مصر
[…]Here is a good Blog You might Uncover Exciting that we Encourage You[…]
johnbower8
Thank you. I almost always read book reviews. This book especially hooked me, as it also touches upon eternal questions. I confess that I envy famous writers a little in a good way and I myself would like to write as well as beautifully. But I’m not good at writing, so I use papers for sale It’s great that I can count on academic help around the clock in the literal sense of the word. Moreover, I received a great article from their professional writing team. This makes student life much easier.
Read more
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
Check Out This Article
Thanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading.
Visit This Webpage
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!
Read more
Thank you for the update, very nice site..
shaikh seoRead This
thanks this is good blog.
Read This
thanks this is good blog.
Click the Following Link
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
Get More Info
Thanks for sharing nice information with us. i like your post and all you share with us is uptodate and quite informative, i would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job.
See More Hints
Thank you for the update, very nice site..
Discover
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.
Refer to This Page
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!
Refer to This Page
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post.
Click Here For More Info
Wonderful article, thanks for putting this together! This is obviously one great post. Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here.
Get More Info
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,
Refer to This Web Page for More Info
Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging,
Check Out This Information
Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here…
Check Out This Information
thanks this is good blog.
Get More InfoC
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,
Check it out
Thanks for sharing the info, keep up the good work going…. I really enjoyed exploring your site. good resource…
Click Here
Thanks for sharing nice information with us. i like your post and all you share with us is uptodate and quite informative, i would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job.
Read Much More
Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging,
Visit URL
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Click the Following Article
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.
Read Much More
Thanks for your information, it was really very helpfull..
Visit URL
Wow i can say that this is another great article as expected of this blog.Bookmarked this site..
Read This
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
Read This Article
Wow what a Great Information about World Day its very nice informative post. thanks for the post.
Click the Following Internet Page
Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much.
Visit This Website
very interesting keep posting.
Visit This Website
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it’s quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,
Visit URL
I appreciated your work very thanks
Click Here
Thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success..
Click Through to This Article
Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it.
Click Here
I found your this post while searching for some related information on blog search…Its a good post..keep posting and update the information.
Visit This Page
Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!
Visit The Following Website
Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it.
Visit URL
thanks this is good blog.
Visit This Link
I can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business.
Click Through to This Article
Thanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading.
Discover
Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you.
Related
Great! It sounds good. Thanks for sharing..
Read More About This
Great! It sounds good. Thanks for sharing..
Discover
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Related
Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work.
Click Here For More Information
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
Related
Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here…
Refer to This Page
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Visit This Page
New web site is looking good. Thanks for the great effort.
Click Here For More Information
Great! It sounds good. Thanks for sharing..
Refer to This Article
Wow what a Great Information about World Day its very nice informative post. thanks for the post.
Learn more
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
gold rate new delhi
very interesting keep posting.
Read Much More
Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here…
Click the Following Link
I am hoping the same best effort from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me.
See This Article
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Read Much More
Love to read it,Waiting For More new Update and I Already Read your Recent Post its Great Thanks.
Read more
Your website is really cool and this is a great inspiring article. Thank you so much.
Learn more
Great! It sounds good. Thanks for sharing..
a href="http://kentucky.bestwoodcountertops.com">See This Helpful Information
Wow what a Great Information about World Day its very nice informative post. thanks for the post. <
See This Helpful Information
Wow what a Great Information about World Day its very nice informative post. thanks for the post.
Fareeed Khatri
I am continually amazed by the amount of information available on this subject. What you presented was well researched and well worded in order to get your stand on this across to all your readers.
Fareeed Khatri
Good website! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes it is. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which may do the trick? Have a great day!
Zoekmachine optimalisatie specialist Nieuwegein
Als website eigenaar in Nieuwegein is het belangrijk om de richtlijnen van Google te volgen voor white hat SEO. Dit zal helpen om boeiende artikelen te maken die organisch verkeer naar je website genereren. Om te beginnen, kies een actueel en relevant onderwerp voor je branche. Onderzoek naar bijbehorende zoekwoorden zal ook helpen om je bericht te optimaliseren voor zoekmachines. Maak vervolgens een overzicht om je artikel structuur te geven. Houd je alinea’s kort en gebruik makkelijk te begrijpen taal. Vermijd technische termen en jargon zoveel mogelijk. Vergeet niet om visuals toe te voegen aan je blogposts, zoals afbeeldingen, video’s en infographics. Deze trekken de aandacht van lezers en kunnen ook je SEO-ranking verbeteren. Zorg ervoor dat je afbeeldingen de juiste credits en licenties hebben, en vermeld ook de plaats Nieuwegein als voorbeeld.
Zoekmachine optimalisatie (SEO) Hardenberg
Op zoek naar een SEO specialist in Apeldoorn? Maak kennis met SEO specialist Apeldoorn – dé expert op het gebied van SEO-services en linkbuildingpakketten. Ons ervaren team begrijpt de impact van kwalitatieve backlinks op de zoekmachine ranking. Met bewezen strategieën zorgen wij voor maximale exposure en zichtbaarheid in de zoekresultaten. Onze linkbuildingpakketten vergroten de autoriteit en zichtbaarheid van uw website, wat resulteert in meer verkeer. Kies voor onze hoogwaardige SEO-services en uw bedrijf is in goede handen. Onze onverslaanbare klantenservice staat altijd voor u klaar. Neem vandaag nog contact met ons op en bereik het succes dat u verdient.
italy
thanks for this usefull article, waiting for this article like this again.
Keulen City app
City audio guide Aachen brings the city of Aachen to life in a new and exciting way. Whether you’re a native, a tourist, or a student, our comprehensive audio tour guide provides you with the most interesting, informative, and entertaining insights into t
assumeworld
If you set out to make me think today; mission accomplished! I really like your writing style and how you express your ideas. Thank you.
assume world
Thanks for the nice blog. It was very useful for me. I’m happy I found this blog. Thank you for sharing with us,I too always learn something new from your post.
Overwatch 2 Patch Notes
I felt very happy while reading this site. This was really very informative site for me. I really liked it. This was really a cordial post. Thanks a lot!.
movidle
I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.
Pbn Backlink
Bent u op zoek naar een SEO-bureau dat uw zoekmachineprestaties kan verbeteren en ervoor kan zorgen dat uw bedrijf gevonden wordt op Google? Onze SEO-specialisten bieden een breed scala aan diensten voor bedrijven die hun zichtbaarheid en positie in zoekresultaten willen verbeteren. Met behulp van linkbuilding en on-page optimalisatie kunnen onze experts de SEO-rankings van uw website verbeteren door het optimaliseren van de inhoud, het creëren van unieke backlinks en ervoor te zorgen dat alle pagina’s voldoen aan de SEO-normen. Met onze services kunt u vertrouwen op een top 10 positie in zoekmachinepagina’s. Bereik optimale SEO-prestaties en hogere posities met behulp van onze SEO-specialisten. Onze experts weten hoe ze de algoritmen van zoekmachines moeten analyseren en de juiste tactieken moeten toepassen om de best mogelijke posities te bereiken. Met jarenlange ervaring in SEO en website-optimalisatie, kunt u erop vertrouwen dat onze SEO-specialisten de beste praktijken kennen en de tools hebben om de gewenste zichtbaarheid in Broek op Langedijk en omliggende regio’s, zoals Heerhugowaar en Alkmaar, te bereiken. Accepteer geen lage positie in zoekmachinepagina’s. Met de hulp van SEO-specialisten kan uw website zich onderscheiden van de concurrentie en meer bekendheid en erkenning krijgen. Neem vandaag nog contact met ons op voor meer informatie over onze SEO-services en hoe we uw posities in Google kunnen verbeteren.
best dinner Seminyak
Ontvang een gratis website scan met onze SEO Checker voor ondernemers in de regio Beverwijk en IJmond. Krijg direct een rapport over de prestaties van jouw site op het gebied van SEO. Onze gedetailleerde audit geeft praktische inzichten om je zoekmachine rankings te verbeteren. Met de krachtige SEO tool van Httpmarketing identificeren we fouten zoals ontbrekende meta tags, gebroken links en verkeerde redirects. Daarna analyseren we hoe goed je site geoptimaliseerd is in vergelijking met concurrenten en bieden we een checklist om verbeteringen aan te brengen. Onze Link Checker identificeert ook dode of gebroken links die invloed kunnen hebben op de ranking in zoekmachines. Daarnaast bieden we een unieke SEO Audit die acht belangrijke elementen van jouw website onderzoekt, zoals zoekwoorden, title tags, meta descriptions, content en URL structuur. Wil je als ondernemer in de IJmond (IJmuiden, Velsen, Beverwijk, Heemskerk) meer bezoekers naar je website trekken en organisch in Google scoren? Ontdek hoe!
breakfast dinner Seminyak
Ontmoet de SEO-specialisten van Hoogeveen – uw to-go SEO-bureau om gevonden te worden op Google. Httpmarketing SEO-service Hoogeveen is gevestigd in Drenthe en biedt de expertise die u nodig heeft om uw website bovenaan de zoekresultaten te laten staan. Met de nieuwste zoekalgoritmen en technieken is ons ervaren SEO-team gespecialiseerd in het optimaliseren van uw website met doeltreffende woorden en zinnen. We passen ook tactieken toe voor off-page optimalisatie en linkbuilding om uw zoekmachinerankings een boost te geven. Ons doel is ervoor te zorgen dat uw website zichtbaar is op Google en andere zoekresultatenpagina’s, waardoor uw merk opvalt en meer verkeer naar uw website trekt. Vertrouw op onze diensten om het meeste uit uw SEO-campagnes te halen. Neem gerust contact met ons op als u hulp nodig heeft met SEO en online gevonden wilt worden.
breakfast dinner Seminyak
Wil je meer online zichtbaarheid voor je bedrijf? Ons SEO bureau in Coevorden is de perfecte keuze. Met onze ervaren SEO-specialisten kunnen we ervoor zorgen dat jouw bedrijf opvalt in de zoekresultaten van Google. We bieden maatwerk Google ranking services en Httpmarketing Drenthe om ervoor te zorgen dat jouw bedrijf gevonden wordt in het specifieke gebied waar je je op richt. Ons team is prestatiegericht en werkt nauw met je samen om ervoor te zorgen dat jouw bedrijf zich onderscheidt van de concurrentie. Kies voor online zichtbaarheid en succes met ons SEO bureau in Coevorden of provincie Drenthe. We hebben al veel bedrijven in Coevorden en omgeving geholpen om beter organisch vindbaar te worden in Google. Onze linkbuilding pakketten zijn vooral effectief gebleken om snel beter gevonden te worden!
pbn
Meta-beschrijvingen zijn van cruciaal belang voor het optimaliseren van websites in Enkhuizen en regio West-Friesland. Een effectieve meta beschrijving moet bondig, informatief en relevant zijn en relevante zoekwoorden bevatten om een hogere ranking in zoekmachines te bereiken. Als je je meta beschrijving wilt optimaliseren, is het belangrijk om te denken als een SEO-expert. Bij Httpmarketing bieden we verschillende tools aan die je kunnen helpen bij het vinden en gebruiken van de meest effectieve zoekwoorden voor je meta beschrijving. Deze tools analyseren de websites van je concurrenten en bieden ideeën voor zoekwoorden die je zichtbaarheid en ranking in zoekmachines zoals Google en Bing kunnen verbeteren. Bovendien genereert onze Meta Tag Builder automatisch geoptimaliseerde metabeschrijvingen op basis van je inhoud, waardoor het eenvoudiger wordt om snel aan de slag te gaan met het optimaliseren van je website. Onderschat de kracht van een goede meta beschrijving niet – door deze te optimaliseren met de juiste zoekwoorden kun je je SEO rankings positief beïnvloeden. Met de tools van Httpmarketing kun je eenvoudig effectieve en geoptimaliseerde metabeschrijvingen maken. We hebben al vele ondernemers in Enkhuizen geholpen om beter te scoren in Google. Ontdek vandaag nog hoe we ook jou kunnen helpen!
IceCricNews
Impressive post! The practical tips and real-life examples brilliantly support your ideas. Top 10 highest paid footballers in 2023-24 season Your dedication shows. Looking forward to more. Keep up the excellent work!
IceCricNews
Your post is truly outstanding! Your inclusion of actionable tips and real-life examples to back your points is remarkable. Greatest WWE Wrestlers of All Time The evident dedication and thought you’ve invested are commendable. Keep up the fantastic work—I’m eagerly anticipating your future shares!
IceCricNews
Impressive post! Your incorporation of practical tips and real-world instances to bolster your concepts is truly commendable.Tennis upcoming matches 2023-24 Your evident dedication and meticulousness shine through. Keep up the great work—I’m eagerly anticipating your upcoming content!
IceCricNews
Impressive content! Your practical tips and real-world examples effectively back your ideas. Schedule of Upcoming Tennis Matches 2023-24 Your effort shines through. Eagerly awaiting your future posts. Keep the momentum going!
IceCricNews
Brilliant post! Your incorporation of practical tips and real-life examples adds substantial weight to your ideas. Wrestler with the Most Wins of All Time Your evident commitment is admirable. Anxiously awaiting your forthcoming content. Keep up the impressive work!
IceCricNews
Your post is truly outstanding! Your inclusion of actionable tips and real-life examples to back your points is remarkable. Most Successful Wrestler in WWE History The evident dedication and thought you’ve invested are commendable. Keep up the fantastic work—I’m eagerly anticipating your future shares!
Gaming News
This is very educational content and written well for a change. It’s nice to see that some people still understand how to write a quality post! Gaming News