TED Talks India
Javed Akhtar: The gift of words
賈維阿克塔: 字詞的力量
Filmed:
Readability: 3.4
606,035 views
常聽到有人說：「你懂我的意思嗎？」這句話。傳奇詩人、作詞家兼劇作家賈維阿克塔問：「為什麼我們好像失去了用字遣詞的力量？」他鼓勵我們要用字詞──這近乎魔法般的工具──帶著我們的文化跨越世代，來彼此了解和溝通。
Javed Akhtar - Poet, lyricist, screenwriter
Javed Akhtar is an eminent Indian film scriptwriter, lyricist and poet, whose lineage can be traced back to seven generations of renowned Urdu writers, poets and freedom fighters. Full bio
Javed Akhtar is an eminent Indian film scriptwriter, lyricist and poet, whose lineage can be traced back to seven generations of renowned Urdu writers, poets and freedom fighters. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
Shah Rukh Khan: The speaker
you are about to meet is
you are about to meet is
0
795
2846
沙魯克汗：接下來的講者，
00:16
someone who knows and understands
the value of words like no one else does.
the value of words like no one else does.
1
4177
7270
是一位比任何人都知道
且了解字詞價值的人。
且了解字詞價值的人。
00:23
In his writing career
spanning over four decades,
spanning over four decades,
2
11872
2986
在超過四十年的寫作職涯中，
00:27
this man has chosen words
with beauty and versatility,
with beauty and versatility,
3
15085
3901
這位作家使用的優美辭藻，
00:31
like a flower springing to life ...
4
19617
1836
就像是生命中綻放的花朵…
00:34
like Mr. Bachchan’s memorable punches ...
5
22305
3150
就像阿米塔布巴強先生
强有力的拳頭……
强有力的拳頭……
（笑聲）
00:37
(Laughter)
6
25479
1579
00:39
like a best-selling book of Urdu poetry ...
7
27315
2826
就像最暢銷的烏爾都語詩集……
00:42
like well ... what do I say,
8
30355
1446
就像……嗯……該怎麼說，
00:43
only Javed Akhtar Sahab.
9
31875
1865
他便是絕無僅有的賈維阿克塔先生。
（掌聲）
00:45
(Applause)
10
33765
3400
00:49
Please welcome onstage,
the one and only Javed Akhtar Sahab.
the one and only Javed Akhtar Sahab.
11
37435
3770
請歡迎獨一無二的賈維阿克塔沙哈。
00:53
(Cheers and applause)
12
41328
5090
（歡呼及掌聲）
01:05
Javed Akhtar: Friends, this topic --
the power of words --
the power of words --
13
53516
2593
賈維阿克塔：朋友們，
這個主題──字詞的力量──
這個主題──字詞的力量──
01:08
is an interesting one,
and one that's very close to my heart.
and one that's very close to my heart.
14
56279
2100
很有趣，也很貼近我的心。
奇怪的是
01:10
It’s strange
15
58399
1744
01:12
how we often overlook things
that are so close to us, near us.
that are so close to us, near us.
16
60415
4164
我們常會忽略了離我們最近的東西。
01:17
How many people question,
"Why is air transparent?"
"Why is air transparent?"
17
65565
3116
有多少人問：
「為什麼空氣是透明的？」
「為什麼空氣是透明的？」
01:20
Or, "Why is water wet?"
18
68719
1716
或「為什麼水是濕的？」
01:23
How many think about
what is it that has passed?
what is it that has passed?
19
71255
2889
有多少人想過，過去的是什麼？
時間過去了。
什麼來了？什麼離開了？
什麼來了？什麼離開了？
01:26
Time has passed. What came?
What went away?
What went away?
20
74169
2235
01:28
How many of us wonder?
21
76799
1666
有多少人會納悶？
01:30
Similarly ...
22
78673
929
同樣的，
我們每天說出來和聽到字詞，
01:31
the words that we speak and hear all day,
23
79627
4626
01:36
how many times have we really thought,
"What exactly are these words?"
"What exactly are these words?"
24
84589
3334
我們有幾次會真正去想：
「這些字詞到底是什麼？」
「這些字詞到底是什麼？」
字詞是很奇怪的東西。
01:39
Words are a strange thing.
25
87953
1366
01:41
You once saw
26
89913
1374
你曾經看到
01:43
an animal and decided it’s a "cat."
27
91407
4158
一隻動物，決定牠叫做「貓」。
01:48
But cat is a sound.
28
96066
1726
但「貓」是一個聲音。
01:50
This cat has nothing
to do with the animal.
to do with the animal.
29
98185
2238
「貓」和那隻動物沒有關係。
01:52
But I have decided it’s a cat.
30
100801
2535
但我已決定它就是隻「貓」。
01:55
So a cat it is.
31
103423
1150
所以牠就是貓。
01:56
So I gave the sound
the identity of this animal.
the identity of this animal.
32
104597
3913
我把這隻動物的身份賦予這個聲音。
02:00
After that I made a semicircle,
33
108978
2095
在那之後，我畫了一個半圓形，
02:03
a pyramid, cut into half,
34
111329
2324
一個切一半的金字塔，
02:05
then a straight line,
then another below it, and wrote: "cat."
then another below it, and wrote: "cat."
35
113692
4189
接著畫一條直線，下面再一條，
寫出了「CAT（貓）」。
寫出了「CAT（貓）」。
02:10
In these criss-crossed lines,
I filled a sound
I filled a sound
36
118518
2397
在這些交錯的線中，
我填入了一個聲音，
我填入了一個聲音，
在那聲音中，填入了意義。
02:12
and into that sound, a meaning.
37
120965
1477
02:15
Now like with this cat,
38
123231
1566
就像這個貓的例子，
02:16
even with love, anger, a thought,
39
124909
3516
甚至愛、憤怒、念頭、
02:20
an idea, pain, suffering,
happiness, surprise,
happiness, surprise,
40
128565
5456
想法、痛苦、苦難、快樂、驚訝、
02:26
everything has been linked with a sound.
41
134189
3144
所有事物都和一個聲音連結起來。
02:29
And then sounds were fit
into some criss-crossed lines
into some criss-crossed lines
42
137706
2872
這些聲音再配上一些交錯的線條，
就是我們所謂的字。
02:32
that we call a script.
43
140603
2166
02:35
So three things that had nothing in common
44
143041
2934
三樣完全沒共通性的東西，
02:38
were joined by us to create a word.
45
146504
1797
被我們結合起來，創造出字詞。
02:41
A sound that is actually gibberish
has been added onto it.
has been added onto it.
46
149034
5127
一個沒有意義的聲音被加上去，
02:46
And the lines, crooked lines,
they formed a word.
they formed a word.
47
154396
4396
還有線條，彎曲的線條，
它們形成了字詞。
它們形成了字詞。
02:51
Incredible!
48
159403
1150
了不起！
02:52
And I have come to believe that with time,
these words have become like human beings.
these words have become like human beings.
49
160960
5547
我相信，隨著時間，
這些字詞已經變得像人類一樣。
這些字詞已經變得像人類一樣。
02:58
A man is known by the company he keeps.
50
166890
2895
要看一個人，就看他交的朋友。
03:02
Similarly, with words,
51
170185
1790
字詞也是一樣的，
03:04
what is the company it has been keeping?
52
172160
1905
它的朋友是什麼？
03:06
What are the other words
being used with it?
being used with it?
53
174545
2365
和它一起使用的其他字詞是什麼？
03:08
For an average noun
or an average verb, an average mind
or an average verb, an average mind
54
176999
5093
針對一個一般的名詞，
或一般的動詞，只要是一般人，
或一般的動詞，只要是一般人，
03:14
can quickly create reference.
55
182269
2038
都可以快速創造出關聯。
03:16
Where did they hear it? See it?
56
184934
1926
在哪裡聽過它？見過它？
03:18
What does it remind them of?
57
186886
1629
它讓人想起了什麼？
03:20
What is its connection?
When was it last used in conversation?
When was it last used in conversation?
58
188540
2905
它的連結是什麼？
上次在對話中用到它是何時？
上次在對話中用到它是何時？
03:23
What has been my experience with it?
59
191469
2824
我有什麼和它相關的經驗？
03:27
A host of memories appear
when you hear a word you remember.
when you hear a word you remember.
60
195253
2700
當你聽到你記得的字詞時，
許多記憶會浮現。
許多記憶會浮現。
03:29
And a good writer or orator is one
61
197983
1586
一個好的作家或演說家，
03:31
who knows that when
he uses a certain word,
he uses a certain word,
62
199594
3983
就是知道何時該用
某個特定字詞的人，
某個特定字詞的人，
03:35
an average mind will associate it
with a certain reference,
with a certain reference,
63
203772
3071
一般人會把它和某個
特定的關係連結起來，
特定的關係連結起來，
03:38
specific memories will be evoked.
64
206883
2180
會喚起特定的記憶。
03:41
Then he can create a world around a word.
65
209093
3796
接著他就可以圍繞著
這個字詞來創造一個世界。
這個字詞來創造一個世界。
03:46
What is the power of a word?
66
214294
2436
字詞的力量是什麼？
03:49
Be it a mother’s lullaby,
67
217515
2024
它是母親的催眠曲、
03:51
a politician’s speech,
68
219931
1816
政治家的演說、
03:53
love letters from your beloved,
69
221858
3903
你的愛人給你的情書、
03:58
or a complaint against someone,
70
226014
2296
或是對某人的抱怨、
04:00
a protest call ...
71
228964
1801
抗議的呼喚。
04:03
anger, sadness, happiness,
surprise, belonging, alienation
surprise, belonging, alienation
72
231332
6016
憤怒、悲傷、快樂、驚訝、歸屬、疏遠、
04:09
anything in the world,
73
237373
1386
世界上的任何事物，
04:10
any feeling in the world,
any emotion, any reaction,
any emotion, any reaction,
74
238784
3866
世界上的任何感受、
任何情緒、任何反應，
任何情緒、任何反應，
04:15
until it is expressed in a word,
75
243584
2371
在它被用字詞表述出來之後，
04:18
it will not have any meaning for you,
76
246385
2127
才會對你產生意義，
才有可能讓別人了解。
04:20
forget getting across to anyone else.
77
248537
1762
04:23
Words are not thoughts,
78
251200
2812
字詞不是思想，
04:26
just like bricks are not homes.
79
254584
2089
就像磚頭不是家。
04:29
But houses are made with bricks.
80
257440
2777
但房子是用磚頭建成的。
04:32
If you have less bricks,
you will make a small house.
you will make a small house.
81
260835
3056
如果磚頭不多，建的房子就小。
04:37
The more words you have,
82
265620
2413
你用越多字詞，
04:40
the clearer your thoughts,
83
268231
2572
思想就會越清澈，
04:43
and the more clearly you can convey them.
84
271159
2826
也就更能清楚地傳遞這些思想。
04:46
Nowadays I often hear,
especially from young ones,
especially from young ones,
85
274745
3053
現在，我常常聽到有人，
特別是年輕人，會說：
特別是年輕人，會說：
「你懂我的意思嗎？」
04:49
“You know what I mean?"
86
277822
1365
04:51
No, I don't know what you mean.
87
279585
1997
不，我不懂你的意思。
04:53
(Laughter)
88
281606
1579
（笑聲）
04:55
“You know what I mean,”
is running out of words.
is running out of words.
89
283638
3459
「你懂我的意思嗎」
就是沒有字詞可以用了。
就是沒有字詞可以用了。
04:59
Everything is now moving fast
90
287973
2443
現代一切的步調都很快，
05:02
so communication has to be fast as well.
91
290620
1947
所以溝通也得要很快速。
05:04
But the tragedy is
92
292781
2929
但不幸的是
05:08
that we have attained this speed
at the cost of depth of words.
at the cost of depth of words.
93
296123
5287
我們犧牲文字的深度換來這速度。
05:13
We want to speak faster,
94
301998
2647
我們想要說快一點，
這樣一切才會快一點，
05:16
so everything is faster,
95
304670
2649
05:19
so the language is also faster,
hence communication is faster.
hence communication is faster.
96
307344
2905
所以語言也要快一點，
因此溝通就會快一點。
因此溝通就會快一點。
但這速度已經影響了深度。
05:22
But this speed has affected depth.
97
310273
2126
05:25
Which means that forget
about other people,
about other people,
98
313306
2936
也就是說，別管其他的人，
05:28
just look at yourself.
99
316403
2179
只要看看你自己。
05:30
You are not being able
to articulate your own feelings,
to articulate your own feelings,
100
318652
3616
你沒有辦法明確有力地
表達自己的感受、思想、或情緒，
表達自己的感受、思想、或情緒，
05:34
thoughts or emotions
in a detailed manner or clearly.
in a detailed manner or clearly.
101
322293
4649
無法細膩或清楚表達。
05:39
And these words, as long as words exist,
102
327357
4523
只要字詞還存在，
這些字詞就不只是一個意義而已。
05:43
they aren’t there just for a meaning.
103
331905
1816
05:45
They are also a conveyer belt
104
333746
1816
它們也是語言、
文字的輸送帶。
05:47
of language, words.
105
335587
1656
05:49
They reflect your culture,
106
337419
1461
它們反映出你的文化、
05:50
your traditions, your inheritance,
107
338930
3053
你的傳統、你的傳承、
05:54
your cultural wealth accumulated
108
342008
2583
你數世代以來累積的文化資產，
05:56
over generations, all of that
is carried forward with words.
is carried forward with words.
109
344616
3245
所有這些都要靠字詞來發揚。
06:00
If you cut a man off from some words,
you cut him off from a culture, a history.
you cut him off from a culture, a history.
110
348304
6600
如果你讓一個人失去了一些字詞，
就是讓他失去了文化、歷史。
就是讓他失去了文化、歷史。
06:07
This is exactly what is happening
with us today.
with us today.
111
355317
2239
這就是現今我們遇到的狀況。
所以，語言是非常強大的。
06:09
So language is a very powerful thing.
112
357580
2839
06:12
Words are extremely powerful.
113
360791
1513
字詞是極強大的。
06:14
But by themselves,
they are neither good nor bad.
they are neither good nor bad.
114
362688
2595
但它們自己本身並沒有好壞之分。
06:17
If we start loving words
115
365713
2602
如果我們開始熱愛字詞，
06:20
and understand their power,
116
368751
2080
並了解它們的力量，
06:23
we would realize
117
371077
1809
我們就會了解到
世界上發生的一切都是因為字詞。
06:24
that everything that happens
in the world is because of words.
in the world is because of words.
118
372911
2035
06:26
Or there would be nothing
between us and the rest of the creatures,
between us and the rest of the creatures,
119
374971
3303
否則，在我們和其他生物、動物之間
就沒有區別了，儘管我們也是動物。
06:30
the rest of the animals,
although we too are animals.
although we too are animals.
120
378396
2040
06:32
The only difference is that
we can pass on, through our words,
we can pass on, through our words,
121
380634
4891
唯一的差別是我們能夠
透過我們的字詞，
透過我們的字詞，
把我們的經驗、學習、知識，
傳給下一代。
傳給下一代。
06:37
our experience, our learning
and our knowledge to the next generation.
and our knowledge to the next generation.
122
385550
7000
06:46
So we don’t only live on instinct
123
394010
2506
我們不只靠直覺過活，
還靠我們代代相傳，
06:48
but our slowly accumulated experience
124
396541
4229
06:53
and knowledge over generations
is passed on to the next.
is passed on to the next.
125
401022
2882
慢慢累積而來的經驗與知識傳承。
透過什麼傳遞？字詞。
06:55
Through what? Through words.
126
403929
2436
06:58
And if we didn’t have these words
127
406726
1923
如果我們沒有這些字詞，
07:00
our advantage is gradually over
128
408901
3051
我們比其他物種優勢之處
07:04
other species would diminish over time.
129
412291
3272
就會漸漸隨著時間遞減。
07:07
We advanced only because we have language.
130
415977
4277
我們會進步，只因為我們有語言。
07:12
And if we didn’t have that
131
420757
1745
如果沒有，
我們就不會在這裡。
07:14
we wouldn’t be here.
132
422527
1286
07:16
We would be right where we started.
133
424443
1875
我們就會在我們的起始點。
07:18
So what does language mean?
134
426678
1286
所以，語言意味什麼？
07:20
Words!
135
428122
1150
字詞！
07:21
So learn to respect words.
136
429588
1616
所以，要學會尊敬字詞。
07:23
Love them.
137
431849
1580
要愛它們。
07:25
Befriend them.
138
433826
1555
和它們交朋友。
07:27
Listen to them attentively.
139
435611
1588
留心傾聽它們。
07:29
And speak attentively.
140
437429
1492
且要細心說話。
07:31
Thank you!
141
439115
758
謝謝。
（掌聲）
07:31
(Applause)
142
439898
7000
07:44
SRK: Thanks a lot, Javed Sahab,
143
452228
1496
沙魯克汗：非常謝謝，賈維先生。
謝謝您來這裡
07:45
for coming here today
144
453751
1070
07:46
and sharing such wonderful things with us.
145
454846
2237
與我們分享這麼美好的內容。
07:49
I have known Javed Sahab since
I came to Mumbai about 25 years ago.
I came to Mumbai about 25 years ago.
146
457263
3200
二十五年前我來孟買時
就認識了賈維先生。
就認識了賈維先生。
當時我非常年輕。
07:52
I was really young then.
147
460487
1699
07:54
JA: Yes. You are still very young, Sir.
148
462221
1152
賈維：你仍然非常年輕。
（笑聲）
07:55
(Laughter)
149
463397
1484
07:56
SRK: But I have got a lot of my education,
150
464950
4309
沙魯克汗：但我許多的教育、
思想意識和其他東西，
思想意識和其他東西，
08:01
my ideologies and many more
things from Javed Sahab.
things from Javed Sahab.
151
469284
3794
都是從賈維先生身上學來的。
08:05
I’ll share a small incident.
152
473103
1934
我來分享一個小故事。
08:07
He got angry with us
153
475405
1743
他對我們很生氣，
08:09
while working on a film.
154
477317
1174
當時在拍片。
他有時會生氣是因為
08:10
He sometimes gets angry
155
478516
1383
08:11
when unlettered people
like us give him suggestions
like us give him suggestions
156
479924
4072
像我們這種未受教育的人給他建議，
建議把這個字換成那個字。
08:16
that maybe we could use
this word or that instead.
this word or that instead.
157
484021
1634
08:17
So our film was called
158
485679
1109
我們的片名是
「Kuch Kuch Hota Hai」。
「Kuch Kuch Hota Hai」。
08:18
"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai."
159
486813
1150
08:19
(Cheers)
160
487995
2748
（台灣譯名：愛情的證明/怦然心動）
（歡呼）
（歡呼）
08:23
And he did not like the title at all.
161
491094
2474
他完全不喜歡那個片名。
08:25
So once when he was really mad at us kids,
162
493798
3992
有次他對我們這些孩子非常生氣，
即使現在我們也還像他的孩子，
08:29
who are like his kids even now,
163
497950
2012
08:32
he retorted:
164
500024
1350
他反駁：
08:33
"Now my heart remains
neither awake nor rests.
neither awake nor rests.
165
501597
3184
「此刻我的心不是醒著也不是歇著。
08:36
What do I do?
Oh! I feel something strange.
Oh! I feel something strange.
166
504841
2940
我該怎麼做？喔！
我有種奇怪的感覺。
我有種奇怪的感覺。
08:39
Is that what you want?"
167
507841
3173
那就是你想要的嗎？」
08:43
In fact the entire song, all the words,
168
511039
3633
事實上，這整首歌，所有的字詞，
都是賈維先生在盛怒中丟給我們的。
08:46
were thrown at us by Javed Sahab in anger.
169
514694
2000
那首歌接著變得非常熱門。
08:48
And that song went on to become
extremely popular.
extremely popular.
170
516718
3863
所以，即使是賈維先生
盛怒時丟給我們的字詞，
盛怒時丟給我們的字詞，
08:52
So even when Javed Sahab
throws out words in anger,
throws out words in anger,
171
520693
1255
也會轉為黃金字詞。
08:53
they turn into golden words.
172
521973
1333
08:55
That’s his gift.
173
523330
1125
那是他的天賦。
08:56
(Cheers)
174
524479
3932
（歡呼）
09:00
JA: Well, the incident that
Shah Rukh Sahab shared is indeed true.
Shah Rukh Sahab shared is indeed true.
175
528518
4183
賈維：沙魯克汗分享的
這件事的確是真的。
這件事的確是真的。
09:04
So on hearing this title,
176
532764
1427
當我聽到片名，
「Kuch Kuch Hota Hai」，
09:06
"'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,"
177
534216
1360
09:07
I was shocked.
178
535601
1520
我很震驚。
09:09
I felt it wasn’t dignified enough.
179
537146
2348
我覺得它不夠有品味。
09:12
(Laughter)
180
540016
1820
（笑聲）
09:14
Though to be honest,
181
542176
1865
不過，老實說，
我很後悔因為這片名
而退出這部超棒的電影。
而退出這部超棒的電影。
09:16
I regret leaving such
a super hit film over its title.
a super hit film over its title.
182
544066
5151
我離開了這部片。
09:21
So I left the film.
183
549241
1230
09:22
Later I also felt a little embarrassed,
184
550772
2459
之後，我也覺得有點不好意思，
09:25
and he too felt bad.
185
553256
1451
他也不好過。
09:26
So we decided to let bygones be
bygones and work on some other film.
bygones and work on some other film.
186
554732
3191
所以我們決定既往不咎，
繼續合作其他的電影。
繼續合作其他的電影。
09:30
Hence, the film
187
558195
3540
因此有了這部：「Kal Ho Naa Ho」
（台灣譯名：愛，沒有明天）
（台灣譯名：愛，沒有明天）
09:33
"Kal Ho Naa Ho."
188
561861
1150
09:35
I told him that everything
else is still fine
else is still fine
189
563177
2771
我告訴他，其他一切都沒問題，
但我欠你兩個「kuch」。
09:37
but I owe you two kuchs.
190
565973
1618
09:39
Two kuchs.
191
567933
1150
兩個「kuch」。
（笑聲）（片名前兩字）
（笑聲）（片名前兩字）
09:41
(Laughter)
192
569107
904
09:42
So I’ll write a song
and return these two to you.
and return these two to you.
193
570122
2930
所以我會寫一首歌，
把兩個 kuch 還給你。
把兩個 kuch 還給你。
09:45
I wrote a song specially
for this reason called
for this reason called
194
573401
2286
我為此特別寫了一首歌，歌名是
09:47
"Kuch to hua hai, kuch ho gaya hai."
195
575775
1777
「Kuch to hua hai,
kuch ho gaya hai」
kuch ho gaya hai」
（歡呼和掌聲）
09:49
(Cheers and applause)
196
577577
2000
09:52
and he returned his two.
197
580362
1518
他還了他的兩個 kuch。
（掌聲）
09:53
(Applause)
198
581904
786
09:54
Ladies and gentlemen, big
round of applause for Javed Akhtar Sahab.
round of applause for Javed Akhtar Sahab.
199
582714
3500
各位先生女士，請以熱烈掌聲
謝謝賈維阿克塔先生。
謝謝賈維阿克塔先生。
（掌聲）
09:58
(Applause)
200
586238
3809
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Javed Akhtar - Poet, lyricist, screenwriterJaved Akhtar is an eminent Indian film scriptwriter, lyricist and poet, whose lineage can be traced back to seven generations of renowned Urdu writers, poets and freedom fighters.
Why you should listen
A respected social commentator and activist admired for his secular, liberal and progressive values, Javed Akhtar has written a large number of poems against communalism, social injustice, national integration, and for women’s rights.
His publications include his first poetry collection, Tarkash, currently in its 11th edition in Hindi and 7th in Urdu. It has been translated into English, French and a range of Indian regional languages. According to a recent survey done by a publisher’s organization, it is the most sold book of verses in the last 60 years in India. His other books Talking Films and Talking Songs are hailed as some of the most definitive works on Indian cinema.
Javed Akhtar | Speaker | TED.com