The Preservation of Knowledge

The speaker and titular character of “The Curator Speaks in the Department of Dead Languages” fills a role that is primarily concerned with the preservation of premodern cultures. The speaker clearly takes this role very seriously, although there is also a sense that they are pushing back against it; their department is of “dead” languages, yet the speaker is determined that they will not die out completely; or, if they do, that they won’t be forgotten. In the opening lines, the speaker reflects on how they’re not entirely alone in this pursuit — “not many, / but some” people (Lines 1-2) come to an expert voice in hopes that they can reach some near-forgotten knowledge. In some cases, the speaker is able to pull the dying language from the brink and translate using “guesswork” and idioms (Line 8). Others are not so fortunate, and...