Poem Analysis - The New Hieroglyphics

A Global Language of Images

Les Murray's "The New Hieroglyphics" is a playful yet profound exploration of a hypothetical universal language based on pictograms and symbols. The poem adopts a lighthearted, almost instructional tone, as if presenting a manual for this imagined communication system. Initially, the mood is optimistic, celebrating the potential for cross-cultural understanding. However, a subtle undercurrent of skepticism and irony emerges as the poem progresses, questioning the true universality and clarity of such a system.

The Promise and Pitfalls of Universal Communication

One of the poem's central themes is the tension between universal communication and the persistence of cultural specificity. The poem suggests that while a visual language might overcome linguistic barriers, it's still susceptible to interpretation and cultural nuances. For example, the poem explains that "Prams under fire?" represents "Soviet film industry," a culturally specific reference that wouldn't be universally understood. Similarly, the poem acknowledges that even seemingly simple symbols like "A heart circled and crossed out" have culturally-specific meanings. Ultimately, the poem demonstrates that even in a visual language, true universality remains elusive.

Icons of Understanding and Misunderstanding

Another theme explores the duality of symbolism. A symbol, while intended to convey a specific meaning, can also be open to interpretation and misunderstanding. The poem provides a catalogue of images within this 'World language,' ranging from the straightforward ("Good is thumbs up") to the more ambiguous ("Sun and moon over palette, over shoes etc are all art forms"). The inclusion of metaphors like "sunflower talk" highlights the inherent difficulty in creating a truly literal and universally understood system. The question posed at the end of the first half, "Sun and moon above / a cracked heart and champagne glass? Riddle that," underscores this ambiguity, challenging the reader to decipher the symbols and acknowledge the potential for multiple meanings.

Decoding the Visual Vernacular

The poem also develops the theme of the limitations of literal representation. While the language aims for clarity through "literal pictures" for nouns and verbs, it inevitably relies on metaphor and cultural association. The "figure riding a sky hook bearing food in one hand" as a symbol for "grace" is a prime example of a more nuanced and imaginative use of visual language. The poem suggests that even in a system designed for straightforward communication, abstract concepts and complex emotions require a level of interpretation and imaginative leap. Even the most basic visual language will have cultural context, and so it is not in any way truly “literal”.

Symbols and Social Commentary

Recurring symbols, like the "skirt-figure, trousered figure" escaping their toilet doors, and the use of "Union boss" and "feeble effort" associated with spades, offer more than just visual representation. They serve as subtle social commentary on gender roles, power dynamics, and human behavior. The image of figures led by strings to their genitals representing fashion is a striking and critical commentary on societal control and objectification. The poem suggests that even in this supposedly universal language, societal norms and biases can be subtly encoded within the symbols.

A Lingua Franca With a Grain of Salt

In conclusion, "The New Hieroglyphics" presents a complex and nuanced vision of a universal language. While celebrating the potential for cross-cultural communication through visual symbols, the poem also acknowledges the inherent limitations and ambiguities of such a system. It highlights the persistent influence of culture, metaphor, and interpretation, even in a language striving for literal clarity. The poem's significance lies in its exploration of the ongoing human quest for understanding and connection, and in its gentle reminder that true communication transcends mere linguistic or symbolic expression. It asks whether any such universal language can ever truly escape the biases and cultural baggage of its creators.