Understanding “Chinese Whispers”
“Chinese whispers” describes a situation in which a message is passed from one person to another in a long chain. By the time it reaches the end, it is often vastly different from the original. The term is a metaphor for how rumors, gossip, and information can become distorted and inaccurate through repeated retelling. The essence of “Chinese whispers” lies in the inevitable degradation of a message, highlighting the fallibility of human communication and memory. It is not simply a mistake; it is a systematic distortion that occurs with each transmission.
Origin of “Chinese Whispers”
The phrase “Chinese whispers” emerged in the United Kingdom during the mid‑20th century. Its first documented use appears in The Guardian newspaper in March 1964, referring to the children’s game in which a message is whispered around a circle. The origin of the name itself is somewhat controversial. Some theories suggest it stemmed from a perceived association with indirect communication styles or a historical misinterpretation of communication patterns in East Asian cultures. However, it is important to note that the name is not rooted in any genuine cultural practice, and its use can be considered a culturally insensitive generalization. The phrase simply served as a catchy title for the game and, subsequently, for the metaphorical meaning it carries.
“Chinese Whispers” in Literature: A Deeper Analysis
The concept of “Chinese whispers” extends far beyond a simple game. It is a potent literary device that explores themes of miscommunication, the subjective nature of truth, the unreliability of memory, and the power of narrative manipulation. Authors often employ this idea to create ambiguity, distrust, and a sense of disorientation. The distortion of the message mirrors the distortion of reality, forcing readers to question what they are being told.
Example #1: John Ashbery – “Chinese Whispers”
And in a little while we broke under the strain
suppurations ad nauseam, the wanting to be taller,
though it’s simply about being mysterious, i.e., not taller,
like any tree in any forest.
Mute, the pancake describes you.
It had tiny roman numerals embedded in its rim.
It was a pancake clock. They had ‘em in those days,
always getting smaller, which is why they finally became extinct.
It was a hundred years before anyone noticed.
The governor general called it “sinuous.” But we, we had other names for it,
knew it was going to be around for a long time,
even though extinct. And sure as shillelaghs fall from trees
onto frozen doorsteps, it came round again
when all memory of it had been expunged
from the common brain.
Ashbery’s poem exemplifies “Chinese whispers” through its fragmented and associative imagery. The poem begins with a sense of strain and decay, then shifts to seemingly unrelated images – pancakes, clocks, trees, governors. The connection between these elements is not linear or logical, but rather based on fleeting associations and memories. The idea of something becoming “extinct” only to reappear later echoes the way rumors and stories are constantly reshaped and recirculated, even when their original form is lost. The multiple names and interpretations of the pancake/clock further demonstrate how a single idea can be distorted through retelling.
Example #2: Diane Hine – “Chinese Whispers”
…Murder! Miss Marple investigating….
…Murder! Miss Marple investigating….
…Sorry, I didn’t quite hear….
…Sherman says he’s sorry but he didn’t hear….
…Surfing stories and bitter beer….
…Surfers in bars? I’d rather play cards…
…Surfers and cards and Ray’s impatient…
…Surfers and sharks are playing Patience…
…Smurfs outsmarted St Ignatius…
…Worship the martyr St Ignatius…
…Slippery worms, garden geishas….
…Something about worm casts and carnations…
…Wormy carp invagination….
…Words – the heart of imagination? …
…Murderous Harpy infestation…
…Murder! Miss Marple investigating….
Hine’s poem is a direct representation of the “Chinese whispers” phenomenon. The phrase “Murder! Miss Marple investigating…” appears at both the beginning and end, bookending a series of wildly divergent statements. The poem demonstrates how quickly a message can transform into something completely unrelated. The initial seed of a mystery devolves into surfing, card games, smurfs, worms, and ultimately a “murderous Harpy infestation.” The repetition of “Sorry, I didn’t quite hear…” underscores the role of imperfect hearing and misinterpretation in the distortion process.
Example #3: The Dillinger Escape Plan – “Chinese Whispers”
Lined up waiting for the execution
Blank stares fall from out of trees
Never leave home praying for the new solution
Sick from all the indifference in the breezeOut your head down, you’re tied up
With a blank stare you know that your time’s up
Now you’re lined up for the execution
For de-evolution
While more subtle, the band uses fragmented imagery and disjointed lines in “Chinese Whispers.” The song evokes a sense of impending doom and societal decay. The image of “blank stares falling from trees” creates an unsettling atmosphere. The transition from “execution” to “de‑evolution” suggests a broader, metaphorical distortion of societal values. The song hints that the original meaning of something has been lost or twisted over time, resulting in a corrupted present.
Example #4: John Ashbery – Chinese Whispers: Poems
This collection explicitly explores the concept of “Chinese whispers” as a literary technique. Ashbery draws parallels to the children’s game “Telephone,” the American equivalent, analyzing how each participant subtly alters the message. The poems delve into the mechanisms of transformation, revealing how individual interpretations, memories, and biases contribute to the distortion process. The collection underlines the idea that even a seemingly simple message can become unrecognizable through repeated retelling. The central theme is the inherent instability of language and the subjective nature of reality.
Beyond Literature: Using “Chinese Whispers” in Everyday Language
The phrase “Chinese whispers” isn’t confined to literary analysis. It is a common idiom used to describe the spread of rumors, gossip, or inaccurate information in everyday conversation.
- Example 1: “All these reports are nothing but Chinese whispers; the only way to know the truth is to hear the news from the first source.”
- Example 2: “Whether these are Chinese whispers or not, all I can say is that they are versions of the same story that have been told for years.”
- Example 3: “Mina thought Kyle had refused to attend the party, so she went to bed without dinner. She didn’t realize it was a case of Chinese whispers because Kyle was actually attending.”
- Example 4: “He told us several stories that turned out to be Chinese whispers; none of them were based on fact.”
- Example 5: “Whenever they come home, they always hear Chinese whispers about themselves.”
Understanding the nuances of “Chinese whispers” – its origins, literary applications, and everyday usage – provides valuable insights into the complexities of communication, memory, and the spread of information. It reminds us to be critical of what we hear and to seek out the original source whenever possible.