Kicking the Habit
By Lawson Fusao Inada
Late last night, I decided to stop using English.
I had been using it all day—taking, listening, thinking, reading, remembering, feeling—
and even driving, all in English, until I finally decided to stop.
So I pulled off the main highway onto a dark country road, kept going until I emerged in another nation and stopped.
There, the insects inspected my passport, the frogs investigated my baggage, and the trees pointed out lights in the sky, saying Shhh…, and I replied. After all, I was a foreigner and had to comply…Now don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing “wrong” with English, and I’m not complaining about the language that is my native tongue; I make my living with it. I was even in England once.
You might say I’m addicted to it. Yes, I’m an Angloholic, and I can’t get by without it. It controls my life—until last night, that is. I had it with the habit.
I was exhausted, burned out by the habit. And I decided to kick the habit cold turkey right then and there, on the spot.
In doing so, I kicked open the door of a cage and stepped out from confinement into the greater world.
Tentatively, I uttered “Chemawa? Chinook?” and the pines answered “Clackamas. Siskiyou.” Soon everything else chimed in, adding their two cents, and we had a fluid, fluent conversation—communicating, expressing, echoing whatever we needed to know, know, know. What was it like? Just listen.
Ah, the exquisite seasonings of syllables, the consummate consonants, the vigorous vowels of varied vocabularies clicking, ticking, humming, growing, throbbing, strumming—coming from all parts of orifices, surfaces, in creative combinations, orchestrations, resonating in rhythm with the atmosphere.
I could have remained there forever—as I have, and will. And when I resumed my way, my stay could no longer be “ordinary”—as they say, as we say, in English.
For on the road of life, in the code of life, there’s much more to green than “go,” for the yellow sun, cleaning, enunciated to me this morning: “Fusao. Inada.”
Summary of Kicking the Habit
Lawson Fusao Inada’s “Kicking the Habit” is a captivating exploration of linguistic identity and the struggle to break free from the dominance of a single language—English. The poem details the speaker’s decision to cease using English, embarking on a journey to reconnect with a more primal, native form of communication. The speaker attempts to abandon English cold turkey, believing it controls his life and limits his expression. However, this effort proves surprisingly difficult, as English seems inextricably linked to his very being. Ultimately, the poem isn’t about fully stopping English, but about becoming aware of its pervasive influence and opening oneself to alternative modes of expression, celebrating the vibrancy and richness of all languages.
At its heart, “Kicking the Habit” asks us to consider what it truly means to communicate, and whether we can ever fully escape the languages that shape our thoughts and perceptions.
Central Idea
The central idea of “Kicking the Habit” revolves around the complex relationship between language, identity, and freedom. The poem isn’t a straightforward rejection of English, but a profound meditation on its dominance and the human desire for linguistic liberation. Inada suggests that language is not merely a tool for communication but a fundamental part of who we are. The speaker’s attempt to “kick the habit” reveals the difficulty, perhaps even the impossibility, of truly detaching from the linguistic framework that has shaped his consciousness.
Key Themes
- Linguistic Identity: The poem highlights how language is intrinsically linked to personal and cultural identity. The speaker’s struggle with English reflects a broader concern about the impact of linguistic imperialism.
- The Power of Language: Inada emphasizes the power of language to shape our thoughts, perceptions, and experiences. Language isn’t neutral; it actively constructs our reality.
- The Search for Authentic Expression: The poem suggests that authentic expression requires a willingness to move beyond the constraints of dominant languages and embrace a more fluid, multifaceted form of communication.
- Cultural Reclamation: The speaker’s journey can be interpreted as a desire to reclaim a lost or suppressed cultural heritage through language.
In-Depth Analysis of Poetic Techniques
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Inada masterfully employs imagery and sensory detail to immerse the reader in the speaker’s experience. The opening lines, describing the speaker’s constant use of English throughout the day—“taking, listening, thinking”—create a powerful sense of being overwhelmed by the language. The subsequent descriptions of the natural world— the insects, frogs, trees, and pines—are equally vivid and evoke a sense of primal, non-verbal communication.
Ah, the exquisite seasonings of syllables, the consummate consonants, the vigorous vowels of varied vocabularies clicking, ticking, humming…
Here, the language itself becomes a sensory experience, emphasizing the alluring yet controlling nature of words.
Metaphor and Symbolism
The entire poem can be read as an extended metaphor for addiction and recovery. The “habit” of using English represents a dependency that has become deeply ingrained in the speaker’s psyche. The act of “kicking the habit” symbolizes a courageous attempt to break free from this dependency and reclaim a sense of self. The journey to the “other nation” symbolizes a move away from the familiar and toward a more authentic way of being.
The natural elements also function symbolically. The trees and pines represent a connection to a more ancient, grounded form of communication, while the sunlight— which “enunciates” the speaker’s name—signifies a moment of recognition and self-discovery.
Free Verse and Rhythm
Inada’s choice of free verse is deliberate. The lack of a traditional rhyme scheme or meter creates a sense of spontaneity and fluidity, mirroring the speaker’s attempt to break free from conventional linguistic structures. However, the poem is not entirely devoid of rhythm. Inada employs a variety of techniques—repetition, alliteration, and assonance—to create a subtle, underlying musicality that enhances the poem’s emotional impact.
clicking, ticking, humming,
growing, throbbing, strumming—
These onomatopoeic words create a sense of vibrant energy and contribute to the poem’s overall musicality.
Alliteration, Assonance, and Consonance
Inada skillfully employs sound devices to create a rich, layered texture in the poem. Consider these examples:
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, as in “fluid and fluent” or “clicking, consonants.”
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds, as in “ordinary” and “say.”
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words, as in “vigorous” and “growing.”
These sound devices not only enhance the poem’s musicality but also create a sense of unity and cohesion.
Repetition
Repetition is a key poetic device in “Kicking the Habit.” The repeated phrase “know, know, know…” emphasizes the intensity of the experience and the speaker’s desire to fully understand the new form of communication he encounters. The repetition of “As they say, As we say, in English” highlights the pervasiveness of the language, even as the speaker attempts to transcend it.
Quotes for Discussion and Analysis
- “I had been using it all day… feeling all day… even driving all day, in English.” – This quote establishes the extent of the speaker’s immersion in English and the difficulty of escaping its influence.
- “I was exhausted, burned out, by the habit.” – This line reveals the toll that linguistic dependency has taken on the speaker’s psyche.
- “What was it like? Well, just listen…” – This invites the reader to actively engage with the poem and experience the new form of communication for themselves.
- “For on the road of life, In the code of life, There’s much more to green than ‘go.’” – This suggests that language is not simply a means of conveying information but a fundamental aspect of reality itself.
Conclusion
“Kicking the Habit” is a complex and thought-provoking poem that challenges us to reconsider our relationship with language. Lawson Fusao Inada’s masterful use of poetic techniques creates a vivid, immersive experience that lingers long after the final line. The poem isn’t simply about giving up a language; it’s about embracing a more expansive, authentic way of being in the world. It celebrates linguistic diversity and reminds us that language is not a prison but a gateway to new possibilities.