Words and gestures often function as languages that help us communicate and commune with one another. Yet, when these modes of communication reach their limit, laughter can become its own powerful language that creates community between peoples.
In her short story “The Peterkins Decide to Learn the Languages,” Lucretia Peabody Hale presents an extremely comedic situation that shows how laughter bridges the gap between not only author and reader, but also between the Peterkins and their foreign language teachers. Laughter becomes their language that surpasses words.
Learning Languages
After moving into their new home, the Peterkins realize that because the house is bigger and everything has its own place, they now have more time on their hands. For example, they no longer have to waste time looking for specific books that had to be stored in different rooms of the house. They decide to use their extra time to learn new languages.
Kate Vidimos
Author
Kate Vidimos holds a bachelor's in English from the liberal arts college at the University of Dallas and is currently working on finishing and illustrating a children’s book.
