As we celebrate the International Day of Books, we’re reminded that reading is far more than entertainment or education, it’s an act that stirs the soul and awakens the mind. And few authors prove this better than William Shakespeare. But why does his language still captivate us centuries later?
A fascinating study by Keidel et al. (2013) reveals that Shakespeare’s signature linguistic playfulness doesn’t just enrich our vocabulary, it actually activates our brains in unique and powerful ways. Using neuroimaging, the researchers found that Shakespeare’s use of “functional shift”, turning a noun into a verb or an adjective into a noun, deeper cognitive engagement. These unexpected twists challenge the reader’s linguistic expectations, lighting up brain regions tied to both creativity and comprehension.
In essence, when we read Shakespeare or other classical writers, our minds are not just following a story, they’re dancing with the language itself. On this global day celebrating books, let’s reflect on the transformative power of literature, especially when it is shared. Reading aloud, exchanging impressions, or revisiting classic texts together, whether in a classroom, a family, or a community group, multiplies the emotional and intellectual impact. Literature becomes a shared language, a dialogue across time and between people.
So today, pick up a book. Revisit a classic. Share a line. As Shakespeare might say, “Give words breath,” and let your mind be tempested by the beauty of reading.
Serra Húnter Fellow of Sociology at Universitat Rovira i Virgili.
Former DAAD-Gastprofessorin at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg