Articulate: A Deaf Memoir of Voice

A deaf writer’s exploration of language, communication, and what it means to be articulate—and her journey to reclaim her voice Rachel Kolb was born profoundly deaf the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, and she grew up as part of the first generation of deaf people with legal rights to accessibility services. Still, from a young age, she contorted herself to expectations set by a world that prioritizes hearing people. So even while she found clarity and meaning in American Sign Language (ASL) and written literature, she learned to speak through speech therapy and to piece together missing sounds through lipreading and an eventual cochlear implant. Now, in Articulate, Kolb blends personal narrative with commentary to explore the different layers of deafness, language, and voice. She tells the story of how, over time, she came to realize that clear or articulate self-expression isn’t just a static pinnacle to reach, a set of words to pronounce correctly, but rather a living and breathing process that happens between individual human beings. In chronicling her own voice and the many ways she’s come to understand it, Kolb illuminates the stakes and complexities of finding mutual and reciprocal forms of communication. Part memoir, part cultural exploration, Articulate details a life lived among words in varied sensory forms and considers why and how those words matter. Told through rich storytelling, analysis, and humor, this is a linguistic coming-of-age in both Deaf and hearing worlds, challenging us to consider how language expresses our humanity—and offering more ways we might exist together.

About the Author :
Rachel Kolb is a writer whose work explores communication, language, and disability as central components of human experience. A graduate of Stanford University, she was the first signing deaf Rhodes Scholar at Oxford before receiving her PhD in English literature from Emory University and then completing a junior fellowship in the Society of Fellows at Harvard University. She has been published in the New York Times and the Atlantic, among other venues.

Review :
“Impressive debut . . . Accessible, fascinating, and heartfelt, this thorough examination of contemporary Deafness moves and edifies in equal measure. It’s required reading.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “The deaf writer’s deft debut memoir probes the many meanings of language, voice, and communication through the lens of her own attempts to harness speech and be perceived as “articulate.” — The Millions “This engaging, enlightening, and affecting book will make you rethink what it is to make yourself known to another. The result is a powerful contemplation of the human voice, and thus the human experience. Articulate is a true gift.” — Adam Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Orphan Master’s Son “An honest and immersive examination of language, voice, speech, and the murky lines that tether and separate them. Required reading for parents, educators, and anyone seeking a new perspective on human communication and connection.” — Sara Nović, New York Times bestselling author of True Biz “Articulate is a tender, sharp-witted, and intellectually rigorous story of identity, and about finding one's true voice in a culture that needs to be taught how to listen. A beautifully written and moving account of what it means to live in an extraordinary body in these extraordinary times.” — Emily Rapp Black, bestselling author of The Still Point of the Turning World “Dive into a captivating exploration of voice across languages, continents, and the cultural expectations that shape how and when we type, sign, or vibrate vocal cords. Through surprising stories written in her enchanting, poetic style, Rachel Kolb teaches us how to move beyond clichés to uncover what it truly means to be understood.” — Haben Girma, bestselling author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law “Rachel Kolb’s Articulate: A Deaf Memoir of Voice deftly weaves her personal story with information on Deaf culture, history, and pride. A must read for anyone who wants to learn more about the Deaf lived experience. There is no such thing as being a voice for the voiceless. Everyone has a voice if you are willing to make an effort to understand.” — Alice Wong, author of Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life