“NATIONAL TALK LIKE SHAKESPEARE DAY”

Apr 23rd “NATIONAL TALK LIKE SHAKESPEARE DAY”

On April 23rd each year, National Talk Like Shakespeare Day encourages us to speak like the Bard and the characters in his plays.

Born April 23, 1564, William Shakespeare is the author of some of the world’s most celebrated plays and poems. In 2016, we honored the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death. What better way to celebrate his life and art than to speak like the poet and playwright.

We can speak like Shakespeare by substituting thou, thee and ye for you and they. Rhyming couplets and creative insults were his particular favorites. Many of the phrases we use today we can owe to Shakespeare.

We could make you wait with bated breath for the list. We could send you on a wild goose chase to find them. For goodness sake, you might just be the laughing stock if we did!

Oh, come now. No need to fight fire with fire. Come what may we will give you the naked truth and teach to you talk like Shakespeare. We’ll snatch you out of the jaws of death and put you in a pickle too while we are at it!

What makes your hair stand on end? Did we set your teeth on edge? Well, what’s done is done.

You may be such a sorry sight, but still, the world is your oyster even if you wear your heart on your sleeve. Aye, you have seen better days! We must send you packing. It’s all Greek to you anyway!

HOW TO OBSERVE #TalkLikeShakespeareDay

Speaketh like Shakespeare and celebrate his birthday. Share on social media by using #TalkLikeShakespeareDay.

Educators, visit the National Day Calendar® Classroom for lessons designed for National Talk Like Shakespeare Day.

NATIONAL TALK LIKE SHAKESPEARE DAY HISTORY

National Talk Like Shakespeare Day was first launched in 2009 by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which was inspired by another day devoted to talking in character – International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19). In 2011, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 23rd as Talk Like Shakespeare Day giving the theater’s efforts official recognition.

The day also coincides with English Language Day which began in 2010 as a cultural recognition day by the United Nations.

William Shakespeare – 1564

William Shakespeare is the author of some of the world’s most celebrated plays and poems. His works, written during the Golden Age of the Renaissance and the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, continue to inspire us today. Some of his most notable works include “Romeo and Juliet,” “A Midsummer Nights Dream,” “Hamlet” and “Othello.”