Major Themes
Loss and aging – Foreign Words tells the story of a man working through the grief of losing his father. Throughout the novel, narrator Nicolaides reflects on his relationship with his father (and also his mother, who died before). He even carries out imaginary conversations with his father. Nicolaides also has to grapple with the fact that he himself is aging.
Language – Intertwined with the other themes of the book is the permeating idea of language, old languages and new, how they can blend together or how one can dominate another (such as the relationship between French and Sango in the CAR). Of course, the idea of finding oneself anew in a new language is also illustrated through Nicolaides’ experience—as well as finding the same old self once the novelty has worn off.
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