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Vikrom Chantarangkul was born in
according to their demographics at a university in Bangkok in 1966. He got a Bachelor’s
Bangkok, Thailand. Scholar: Human Sciences, 12(2),
284-298. Degree in English from Prince of Songkla
Pramono, S.E., Solikhah, B., Widayanti, D.V., & Yulianto,
A. (2018). Strategy to improve quality of higher University in 1987, a Diploma in Applied
education institution based on AUN-QA standard.
Linguistics from SEAMEO Regional
International Journal of Innovation Education and Language Center in 1995, and a Master’s
Research, 6(9), 141-152.
Quang, B.N. (2021). The impact of assessing training Degree in Applied Linguistics from the
programs according to AUN-QA criteria at the National University of Singapore in 1997. Asst. Prof. Vikrom

Faculties of University of Social Sciences and Chantarangkul works at the Department of General
Humanities, Vietnam National University – Ho Chi
Minh City. International Journal of Education and Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala
Research, 9(12), 43-58.
Refnaldi, R., & Arianto, M.A. (2017). The voices of alumni University of Technology Srivijaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat
in curriculum development: a step to meet the Campus. He teaches B.A. courses in advanced writing,
academic writing, and translation. His research interests
standards of the ASEAN University Network Quality include language testing, translation, and program evaluation.
Assurance (AUN-QA). Lingua Didaktika: Jurnal
Bahaso dan Pembelajaran Bahaso, 11(2), 138-145. Komsit Sitipragan was born in Nakhon Si
Refnaldi, R., Fitrawati, S., & Adnan, A. (2017). From need Thammarat in 1986. He got a Bachelor’s

analysis to ELT study program learning outcome Degree in English from Walailak University
development: meeting the standards of the ASEAN in 2009, and a Master’s Degree in Teaching
University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA).
English as an International Language from
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Prince of Songkla University in 2012. He
Research (ASSEHR), 148, 12-19.
Refnaldi, R. Novianti, S., & Adnan, A. (2018). Alumni’s works at the Department of General

perception on program specification of ELT program at Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajamangala
UNP (based on AUN-QA criteria. Advances in Social
University of Technology Srivijaya, Nakhon Si Thammarat
Campus. He teaches B.A. courses in reading and English for
career preparation. His research interests are reading and
computer-assisted language learning.

99

Universal language -- a spiritual passage to
destiny in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist

Wararat Whanchit

English Department, School of Liberal Arts

Walailak University, Thailand

Email: [email protected]

Abstract

‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho was originally entitled ‘O Alquimista’, written in Portuguese in 1988, and
translated into English in 1993. Awarded with the Nielsen Gold Bestseller in the UK, the book with its timeless
theme never ceases the inspiring power on millions of readers worldwide. The key theme on a pursuit of one’s
destiny and spiritual enlightenment through magical realism greatly impresses humans regardless of their races or
background. The simple storyline goes as a young shepherd from Andalusia in Spain with a recurrent dream of
treasures at the Pyramids in Egypt sets off his journey in search of the treasures. The reader’s realization of the
hidden treasure would let them internalize the message and grow spiritually through the protagonist’s experience.
The current study focuses on the interpretation of the mention of “Universal Language” which reoccurs as a major
symbol throughout the story. This Universal Language is cherished beyond human language and is the main
instrument for the protagonist to realize his dream and fulfill his destiny. The novella implies that one’s obligation
in life is to understand the language of the universe and contemplate in the present.

Keywords - The Alchemist; Paolo Coelho; Universal Language; spiritual; magical realism

I. INTRODUCTION Language; it is everyone’s obligation to learn this
language in order to reach one’s destiny and find true
To readers worldwide, especially those with particular happiness in life.
interest in philosophy and spiritual uplifting genres, ‘The
Alchemist’ by a Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, would The current study conceptualizes the universal
easily appear as one of the top items on their language in The Alchemist and explains how the concept
recommended reading list. This book, originally ‘O is themed -- one has the obligation to understand the
Alquimista”, was written in Portuguese in 1988, and universal language in order to realize one’s dream.
translated into around 80 languages. The English edition
was published in 1993, translated by Alan R. Clarke. Its II. ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE IN
success is proved by the 65 million copies sold, over 315 THE ALCHEMIST
weeks on The New York Times bestseller list (Capretto,
2014, updated Dec 6, 2017). The Alchemist tells a story Throughout the story, the word ‘language’ occurs 60
of a well-literate shepherd named Santiago who had times. The first appearance of ‘language’ is when the
become a shepherd to possibly to fulfil his dream of gypsy woman in Tarifa is asked to interpret Santiago’s
traveling to the unknown place and to learn of differences. dream.
He had a recurrent dream of a hidden treasure at the
Pyramids of Egypt, and hence pursued the dream by "You came so that you could learn about your
taking a journey from his homeland Andalusia in Spain, dreams," said the old woman. "And dreams are
through Tangiers in Morocco, and into the Egyptian the language of God. When he speaks in our
Sahara Desert. language, I can interpret what he has said. But if
he speaks in the language of the soul, it is only
As the saying goes, “focus on the journey not the you who can understand. But, whichever it is,
destination”, this story takes its readers through the I'm going to charge you for the consultation."
journey during which they get absorbed into one’s inner (The Gypsy, pp.12-13)
soul. This could be one of the reasons why the book has
touched millions of human hearts. Along the main theme, Dream
the novel highlights the importance of Universal Dream is universal, and often associated with human

psychology, as Carl Jung a Swiss psychiatrist and

100

psychoanalyst put it, “Dreams have a psychic structure” whether or not he should go to Egypt, meets with
(Jung, 2010: 23). To Jung, [the] dreams, are the speech of Melchezedek, the king of Salem. The old man appears on
[the] soul (Ibid, ix). This concept of dream is clearly the scene as a stimulus for the boy, at the point of giving
applied in the novel. As the protagonist, Santiago was up to continue pursuing his Personal Legend, the destiny.
trying to understand what his dream was telling him, but
he had to ask the gypsy woman to interpret the dream for Oneness
him. According to the gypsy, the dream that Santiago had The conversations between the king of Salem and
was conveyed in the language of the world, implying the
mother earth; the child guiding the way to buried treasures Satiago introduced the key themes of the story and the
was interpreted as its real-world existence, urging him to Soul of the World, and “All things are one.”. (p.22)
make a journey to the Pyramids in Egypt. (p.14)
The old king of Salem, Melchezedek marks a turning
The dream of treasure also symbolizes one’s desire to point in part one of the story, as he influences Santiago in
find happiness as discussed in Onedani and Wahyono making a decision to sell the sheep and take on the
(2018). In this case, the protagonist needs to take up a journey. On their second meeting before Santiago sets off
strenuous work in order to find the true happiness in life. to take a ferry across to Africa, Melchezedek reminds him
The rewarding result is seen when Santiago found a chest of ‘the language of omens’ (p.30), another concept to
of gold coins and jewels at the Epilogue of the story reappear throughout the story.
(p.166), which mirrors the protagonist’s true happiness of
understanding his heart and the universal language, which Arriving in an unfamiliar land of Tangiers in Morocco
will be further discussed. of Africa, Santiago is gradually absorbing the unfamiliar
culture, observing the differences, and most important of
Vision all, realizing that Arabic is spoken in this country! His
Close to dreams, the story marks ‘vision’ as a message, view about human language and trust does teach him a
great life lesson the very first day in Tangiers.
a picture that appears when one’s mind is resting at the
right current, meditation. One evening at the desert, While being on his own, Santiago has observed that
Santiago falls half-asleep while watching two hawks the locals smoke from a common gigantic pipe, that
flying high in the sky (pp.99-100). ¬Thus far, he has been women wear a veil to cover their face, and that men walk
learning the language of the world. hand in hand, and that people pray. (p.34)

"I am learning the Language of the World, At a bar, Santiago tries to assimilate himself to the
and everything in the world is beginning to make different culture. A local man in Western dress
sense to me… even the flight of the hawks," approaches him and spoke in Spanish. The mutual
(p.100) language seems to have lured Santiago into trusting the
stranger; the language gives the sense of belonging. It
At that point, a hawk suddenly attacks another. Seeing disguises a foe as a friend, and Santiago is robbed. He
that, Santiago has a flash image of an army with swords himself repents…
riding to invade the oasis. He can sense that it is not just a
mirage, and is convinced that such attack is going to “I'm like everyone else—I see the world in
happen in the oasis. This scene is the first evidence that terms of what I would like to see happen, not
the protagonist has developed his ability to understand the what actually does.” (p.40)
universal language, and has the awareness of the
language. Now, with no money in a new land, the protagonist has
a dilemma. How could he continue the journey without
Omen money? Would he rather return to Spain and give it all up?
In the layman’s term, vision as universal language may The thought of the old man lessens his confusion and
relieves his desperation while growing a new view of the
be conveyed to us as ‘omens’. The view of one hawk’s place; it’s not a strange place, but a new place for him to
sudden dive to attack another and the vision flashing to get to know. (p.42)
Santiago reminded him of what the old king Melchizedek
calls omens. It is a warning message that would work if Friendship
one has enough courage to read it. Omens do exist in all At a new dawn, Santiago wakes up in the market place
cultures and represent themselves in various aspects, one
is through animals. Here, Coelho interestingly chose the where he has spent a night. There he helps the candy seller
birds to convey the message of omen. In Ch'orti' Maya assemble the stall and the merchant gives him the first
culture, birds are semi-divine messengers to communicate sweet made. Friendship reveals itself, despite the different
with humans and are taken as seers (Hull, 2017). It is languages the two are using. Santiago only realizes this
believed that birds are gods’ disguises and symbols of afterward, and he has become aware of a language that
different types of events to happen, such as dove, eagle, does not depend on words (p.43). To him, the mutual
vulture, as observable in the Iliad (Johanssan, 2012). language used to be when he communicated with his
sheep, but now with people. Coelho connects the language
Later after the meeting with the gypsy for dream without words to the idea of the universal language
interpretation in Tarifa, Santiago, at the plaza pondering through Santiago’s thought.

101

“If I can learn to understand this language An interpretation that such language exists is
without words, I can learn to understand the portrayed in a more physical way when Santiago
world.” (p.44) discusses with the Englishman on their journey through
the desert to Al- Fayoum the oasis.
The subliminal messages of universal language have
been conveyed here and there in the story. Readers would "The caravan and the desert speak the same
gradually absorb and take part in the protagonist’s journey language, and it's for that reason that the desert
as if it was their own. Santiago’s experience can be related allows the crossing. It's going to test the
to everyone no matter what cultural background he or she caravan's every step to see if it's in time, and, if
might have. As Narducci (2013) phrases it, “Coelho it is, we will make it to the oasis."
shows that humanity has commonalities that run deeper
than cultural differences”. One of the commonalities …… "That's the magic of omens," said the boy. "I've
reflected in the story is faith. In fact, the story implies seen how the guides read the signs of the desert, and how
Coelho’s belief that if God exists, the God is omnipresent the soul of the caravan speaks to the soul of the desert."
to all humans who have faiths. The story has indeed (Santiago: 79)
incorporated some religious elements of Christianity,
Islam, and even Buddhism. In my view, the novella has a strong influence on its
reader not only because it is easily connected to one’s
‘All things are one’, that is the secret to understand the experience, but it also lifts up our heart. One can feel that
universe. The protagonist on his journey to realize his treasures refer to all the positive force in life. The story
dream is gradually learning that universal language and also relates that the Soul of the World brings in that force.
through life experience has developed his mastery to
experience that all things are one. One’s connection to the "That's the principle that governs all things,"
soul of the world leads to collaboration granted by he said. "In alchemy, it's called the Soul of the
everything since the earth and everything on it is actually World. When you want something with all your
one entity. If one sees and truly understand this, one will heart, that's when you are closest to the Soul of
get supported, as introduced in the old king of Salem’s the World. It's always a positive force." (The
words at the beginning, and reminded by the alchemist Englishman: 78)
towards the end of the story.
Unfortunately, as revealed in the alchemist’s repent,
“… when you want something, all the the Language of the World happens to get forgotten –
universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
(Melchezedek: 22) “Because people become fascinated with
pictures and words, and wind up forgetting the
“When a person really desires something, all Language of the World.” (The alchemist: 87)
the universe conspires to help that person to
realize his dream," said the alchemist, echoing The story shows that human being’s emotion or
the words of the old king. The boy understood. feelings such as fear, hope, and love are the universal
Another person was there to help him toward his language; it does not need to be conveyed through words,
destiny.” (The alchemist: 114) as experienced by Santiago (p.77).

This existence of ‘universal language’ is also seen Fears
through other characters’ experience. For instance, the … The three fell silent. The boy noted that
Englishman on his search for the alchemist in order to be
taught alchemy reveals his awareness of the language. there was a sense of fear in the air, even though
no one said anything. Once again he was
"Everything in life is an omen," said the experiencing the language without words… the
Englishman, now closing the journal he was universal language. (p.77)
reading. "There is a universal language,
understood by everybody, but already forgotten. In the middle of the desert, people in the caravan were
I am in search of that universal language, among afraid of wars. The uncertain situation led them to doubt
other things. That's why I'm here. I have to find if they would safely reach the oasis. Even though the
a man who knows that universal language. An three people in the quote came from different races, they
alchemist." (The Englishman: 70) all share the feeling, and immerse in their thoughts and
fear.
In his view, an alchemist masters the art of
transforming metal to gold because he understands the Love
universal language; hence the Englishman himself marks ‘Love’ is certainly a universal language that plays a
the language as a key. This language is not spoken. In fact,
Coelho has only presented it with the verb ‘to understand’ critical role in human’s life. As love is universally
to confirm its existence. recognized and understood, Santiago from Spain and
Fatima, the girl who lives in the oasis shared the love at
first sight experience. The scene of their first meeting
shows the two souls’ absorption into a genuine connection
that has bound them together.

102

“At that moment, it seemed to him that time "The wind told me that you know about love"
stood still, and the Soul of the World surged the boy said to the sun. "If you know about love,
within him. When he looked into her dark eyes, you must also know about the Soul of the World,
and saw that her lips were poised between a because it's made of love."
laugh and silence, he learned the most important
part of the language that all the world spoke— "From where I am," the sun said, "I can see
the language that everyone on earth was capable the Soul of the World. It communicates with my
of understanding in their heart. It was love. soul, and together we cause the plants to grow
Something older than humanity, more ancient and the sheep to seek out shade. From where I
than the desert. Something that exerted the same am—and I'm a long way from the earth—I
force whenever two pairs of eyes met, as had learned how to love. I know that if I came even
theirs here at the well. She smiled, and that was a little bit closer to the earth, everything there
certainly an omen—the omen he had been would die, and the Soul of the World would no
awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all longer exist. So we contemplate each other, and
his life. The omen he had sought to find with his we want each other, and I give it life and warmth,
sheep and in his books, in the crystals and in the and it gives me my reason for living." (The sun:
silence of the desert.” (p.92) 149)

Hope and despair The incident depicts the protagonist’s genuine touch
The story significantly relays the message of hope and with nature. It is through this connection that the spiritual
passage to understanding the universe and to become part
despair through the protagonist’s experience. In Tangier, of it has opened up for human. Santiago is fully supported
after the robbery, Santiago was left with neither money, by the sun who is very understanding and caring for the
nor his sheep, and in a strange place. At that point, he lives on earth.
recalled his experiences and reset his mind. The strange
place would not be viewed as strange, but rather a new This scene has brought the story to its height by
place for him to learn. He has a new hope, and through his showing the importance of a person to follow his own
words, we appreciate his optimism for choosing to think heart and to understand the language of the world. Paulo
of himself as ‘an adventurer in quest of his treasure’, and has chosen to represent an enlightenment on the universal
not ‘the poor victim of a thief’. language through the magical realism, which has also left
the reader room to ponder over its reality and symbolism.
"I'm an adventurer, looking for treasure," he
said to himself. (p.42) III. CONCLUSION
As illustrated throughout, The Alchemist conveys one
Later on, when he learned how far the Pyramids and crucial message for humans. Everyone is apparently on
how much money he would need to get to Egypt, Santiago one’s pursuit of their destiny (Manogna et al, 2018), but it
fell into despair. The hope that he had just developed now is not a lonely task of an individual. By understanding the
seemed to disappear. universal language, one will consequently receive
assistance from other entities, which are indeed parts of
“There was a moment of silence so profound the same universe. Thus, one’s realization that all things
that it seemed the city was asleep. No sound from are one is a good starting point to the ‘oneness’, as
the bazaars, no arguments among the merchants, discussed in Kavitha and Abishekapatti (2019). This
no men climbing to the towers to chant. No hope, awareness leads to one’s self-development and harmony
no adventure, no old kings or destinies, no with the universe. The symbolized hidden treasure that
treasure, and no Pyramids. It was as if the world Santiago is searching for is found within himself although
had fallen silent because the boy's soul had. He the story presents it as buried under the old church where
sat there, staring blankly through the door of the the whole journey is about to begin. ‘Treasure is where
café, wishing that he had died, and that your heart belongs’ would well conclude the essence of
everything would end forever at that moment.” the heart on pursuing one’s Personal Legends (Neupane,
(p.42) 2022), and one’s exploration into the inner spirit will open
a passage to reach one’s destiny.
Magical realism
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The universal language referred to in this story has
undoubtedly touches its readers no matter from which The author appreciates the everlasting international
culture they are. Not only is this language understood by collaboration of the SILK, and is thankful for the nine
humans, but the book also presents it as being understood series of annual opportunities to create work of her
by non-living creatures. And this is when magical realism interest. Despite a little shift in the focus from language
comes into scene. teaching, the 9th adventure is one to mark for its thought-
provoking power.
Santiago in his conviction to the universal language
and a strong belief that “All things are one.” talked to the
sun to ask for collaboration in turning him into the wind.

103

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Wararat Whanchit is a lecturer of English at the Department
Kavitha, M. S., & Abishekapatti, T. (2019). Existential of English, School of Liberal Arts, Walailak University. With
psychology in Paulo Coelho’s Novel The Alchemist her passions for languages, her keen
with Special Reference to the Alchemy. Infokara interest in linguistics, applied
Research, 8(9), 877-881. linguistics, and her favourite leisure
readings in philosophy, she enjoys
Neupane, K. (2022). Quest for Destiny in Paulo Coelho's The developing her knowledge by
Alchemist. Pursuits: A Journal of English Studies, 6(1), exploring various areas, which
32-38. include English language teaching,
EFL writing, learner corpora, and
Manogna, M. L., Charyulu, D. G., & Kumar, D. G. (2018). cross-culture translation.
The quest for the fulfillment of Destiny: A study on
Santiago in Paulo Coelho's" Alchemist.". International

Journal of Computer Engineering in Research Trends,
5(1), 1-3.

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