Samuel Jay Keyser - Born To Talk

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My guest on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast is Samuel Jay Keyser.

Meet Samuel Jay Keyser.

Samuel Jay Keyser is an American theoretical linguist who is an authority on the history and structure of the English language and on linguistic approaches to literary criticism. In 1962, Samuel received his PhD in linguistics from Yale. And, he is also the former Associate Provost at MIT.

Samuel, also known as “Jay” has authored numerous books and scientific publications and is Editor-in-chief of the journal Linguistic Inquiry. He is also a jazz trombone player. His new book, Play It Again Sam Repetition in the Arts, was recently published by MIT Press.

Play it Again, Sam Repetition in the Arts

To begin with, in his book, Jay explores in detail the way repetition works in poetry, music, and painting. For example, he argues that the same cognitive function underlies both how poets write rhyme in metrical verse. For instance, this also includes the way songwriters like Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart constructed their iconic melodies. Furthermore, the repetition found in these tunes can also be found in such classical compositions as Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca and his German Dances, as well as in galant music in general. According to Jay, artists have exploited repetition throughout the ages. The reason why is straightforward: the brain finds the detection of repetition innately pleasurable. Play It Again, Sam offers experimental evidence to support this claim.

Turning Turtle: A Memoir of a Man Who Would “Never Walk Again.”

In his Memoir, Turning Turtle Jay tells us about his story that changed his life in the blink of instant, he suffered a medical catastrophe. His story is one of extraordinary performance by EMTs, doctors, nurses, and physical therapists, allowing him to overcome a high likelihood of lifetime paralysis. The good news, he has fully recover and is no longer paralzyed.

Jay’s Takeaways.

“I’m fascinated by the way repetition works in the “sister arts” of music, poetry, and painting. Repetition has been prominent in the arts, from the Homeric epics to present-day. The reason artists have exploited repetition through the ages is straightforward: the brain finds the detection of repetition innately pleasurable. Realizing that repetition plays a central role in the joy we receive from art will forever change the way we experience culture.”

In Closing.

Lynn Cooley, is the Dean of the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School Alumni Association. She has announced the 2025 Wilbur Cross Medalists. The Wilbur Cross Medal is named in honor of former Graduate School Dean and Governor of Connecticut Wilbur Lucius Cross. It was established in 1966 to honor alumni of Yale Graduate School for outstanding achievements like those of Dean Cross during his multifaceted career.

Medalists are nominated by their peers in recognition of their achievements as leaders in their respective fields, true innovators, and world-changing thinkers. They are among the best examples of what can be accomplished with a doctoral degree after leaving Yale.

This is the highest honor that the Graduate School bestows on its alumni. Recipients of the medal return to campus to receive the award and spend time with their departments. Congratulations to Samuel, named one of the receipents this year!

Congratulations are also in order on Jay’s recent milestone Birthday!

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