The world has lost sparkle, wit, historical one-liners — its “book lady.”

Much like the rest of the world, I was both shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of country legend Dolly Parton on Aug. 25. A beloved soul across the country, Parton transcended even the most polarized barriers, bridging communities through her music and, more importantly, her words.

Known for her plethora of quotable phrases — also known as “Dollyisms” — Parton knew how to use language to make a lasting impact. Her 1980 song “9 to 5” turned a corporate schedule into a lasting piece of American popular culture, and her comebacks doubled as famous words of affirmation; “I may look fake, but I’m real where it counts” and “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap” deserve their own places on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Considering the thoughtfulness behind her words, it comes as no surprise to me that Parton was an avid reader since childhood. One thing I do hold in common with her is a love for a great book. Although I must admit that I’ve struggled with many reading slumps as I’ve gotten older, when I do finish a fantastic read, whether it be a novel or memoir, I feel incredibly reflective; it urges me to be more creative, share stories and wield my language with intent.

I believe that Parton must have felt that very feeling, a fervor to share your words and thoughts with others. And she did it in the warmest of ways. As someone who struggles to let go of others’ comments, I’ve always been in awe of how Parton managed to respond to even the most crude comments with such grace, and often even humor. 

“I’m not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb — and I’m not blonde either,” she said in one interview.

Parton’s speech always exuded confidence and intention, with a grasp on words that would benefit us all to hold.

Now, I don’t mean to say you must become a writer. However, in a time when the percentage of Americans who read for pleasure on any given day has decreased by 12% over 20 years, and people are easily tempted to exchange critical thinking for practical, computer-generated responses, it is more important than ever that we learn to enjoy our usage of language.

On social media, the nonchalant epidemic has led a lot of us to hold back from voicing our thoughts in order to seem “cooler.” We hold back from widening our vocabulary beyond buzzwords — ahem “whimsy,” “niche” and “chic” — but ultimately, make ourselves dull. If we take away anything from the queen of sparkle, Dolly Parton, it should be to be vulnerable with our words, and speak with honesty. 

To fully express our intentionality, it’s crucial to continuously foster our literacy. Whether it is diving into a fantasy novel or discussing a piece of news with your roommates at dinner, sifting through the mounds of information shoved in our faces and making something of it is a true skill in today’s age. And the more comfortable we become with using and interpreting language, the more we can leverage it to make a positive impact. 

In 1995, inspired by seeing her father struggle with his illiteracy and lack of a full education, Parton started Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee, with the intent of helping children who grew up in the same environment as she had gain access to books for free expand their perspective through literature. 

Parton didn’t just embody this philosophy through her initiative, but in every aspect of life. She used her words in an inclusive form to promote progress, acceptance and, as simple as it sounds, spread kindness. She urged her fans to “inspire kids to dream more, care more, learn more, and therefore, be more.”

Dolly Parton, maybe more than any of us, had faith in the ability of language to elevate individuals and bring people together. Today and every day, in honor of Dolly, I encourage you to do the same: Sprinkle the world with some glitter, choose your words with care, think of who you are advocating for and consider how you can engage in productive discourse. 

Marina Yazbek is a sophomore writing about language and its role in popular culture and entertainment in her column, “Word on the Street,” which runs every other Tuesday. She is also an Arts & Entertainment Editor at the Daily Trojan.