Born a Crime

Content warning: This section of the guide discusses racism, apartheid, and domestic abuse.

Language is a constant theme throughout the memoir, and its link to culture is represented by the words of Nelson Mandela: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart” (236). Apartheid separated the South African majority through language, forcing each community to learn its specific language in school. Each community has its own language, and without learning the languages of other communities, they remain mutually isolated by the inability to communicate. While language was used by the government as a divisive tool to separate and weaken the majority, Noah realizes that it can also be used to bring people together.

Noah and his mom speak multiple languages. In a land that has 11 official languages, the ability to speak to people beyond one’s own culture shows a support and solidarity that the government tried to minimize. This can best be seen when Noah serves as an interpreter between the guard and the man who speaks Tsonga. While the Tsonga man originally seemed threatening, Noah realizes that he is a gentle giant once Noah speaks the man's native tongue.