Introduction
The expression “impossible to them” is an idiomatic phrase that signals an idea, task, or condition perceived as unattainable by a specific group or individual. Its grammatical construction typically involves the adjective impossible followed by the prepositional phrase to them, thereby attributing impossibility to a defined audience. The phrase functions as a linguistic tool for conveying limitation, alienation, or exclusion, and it is employed across literature, journalism, social science, and everyday speech. While simple in form, the phrase carries nuanced connotations that can reveal underlying attitudes toward competence, culture, and power dynamics.
Historical Background
Early Literary Usage
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, English literature began to document the sentiment encapsulated by the phrase. Charles Dickens’s 1859 novel Hard Times contains a passage in which a factory manager remarks that the working class finds the technical innovations impossible to them, highlighting class-based disparities in knowledge and opportunity. Similarly, in 1921, E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India includes a moment where an Indian clerk tells an Englishman that certain bureaucratic procedures are impossible to them because of colonial structures. These examples illustrate the phrase’s early use as a marker of social and cultural barriers.
Evolution in Modern Discourse
By the latter half of the 20th century, the phrase entered broader public discourse, especially within social movements. The civil rights era in the United States saw activists using the phrase to describe systemic obstacles, as in the statement, “It is impossible to them to access quality education because of segregation.” The rise of digital media in the 21st century has seen the phrase spread across blogs, news outlets, and social platforms, often accompanying discussions about technology adoption, healthcare access, and policy implementation.
Semantic Analysis
Grammatical Structure
Grammatically, the phrase consists of the adjective impossible (an adjective denoting lack of possibility) followed by the prepositional phrase to them (a preposition indicating the experiencer of the impossibility). The construction functions as a predicative complement, where the subject (implicit) experiences the state of impossibility. The phrase is often used in passive voice, such as “The plan was deemed impossible to them,” reflecting an external assessment rather than an internal declaration.
Pragmatic Functions
From a pragmatic perspective, the phrase serves several functions:
- Epistemic framing: It signals that knowledge about the feasibility of an action is limited to a particular group.
- Discourse marker: It introduces or emphasizes a social or cultural obstacle.
- Rhetorical strategy: It can reinforce group identity or solidarity by acknowledging shared limitations.
Literary Usage
Novels and Short Stories
In contemporary literature, the phrase often appears in narratives that address themes of exclusion or disparity. For example, in Junot Díaz’s 2008 novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, the protagonist’s mother describes her own educational journey as “impossible to them” when referring to the foreign curriculum she cannot navigate. Likewise, in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s short story collection We Should All Be Feminists, the phrase is used to illustrate the gendered barriers faced by women in academia.
Poetry and Prose
Poets occasionally employ the phrase to convey emotional distance or loss. In a 2015 collection by Rupi Kaur, a poem about immigrant experiences uses the line “The borders are impossible to them,” capturing the psychological impact of displacement. In journalistic prose, the phrase frequently appears in feature articles about technological adoption in rural areas, such as “Internet access remains impossible to them,” highlighting infrastructural inequalities.
Sociolinguistic Perspective
Otherness and Identity
When a group is described as unable to accomplish something, the phrase can reinforce an "us vs. them" dynamic. Sociolinguists note that statements such as “It is impossible to them” may either reflect genuine structural constraints or serve as a convenient explanation for group-based disadvantage. The phrase can also become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as repeated assertions of impossibility may deter investment and opportunity for the referenced group.
Power Relations
Power imbalances are often embedded in the phrase’s usage. A dominant group might describe a marginalized group’s limitations as impossible to them to justify paternalistic policies. In contrast, marginalized voices may reclaim the phrase, using it to expose the false narratives that sustain their marginalization. This reclamation can be observed in activist speeches where the phrase is inverted: “We are not impossible to them; they are the ones who make it impossible.”
Cross‑Linguistic Translations
Equivalent Expressions
In French, a close translation is “impossible pour eux,” used similarly to denote inaccessibility. Spanish speakers often use “imposible para ellos,” while German usage is “unmöglich für sie.” These translations preserve the phrase’s focus on a specific group, emphasizing that the limitation is not universal but contingent on identity.
Variations in Nuance
Although the literal translation is straightforward, subtle differences arise in connotation. For instance, in Japanese, the phrase 彼らにとって不可能だ (karera ni totte fukanō da) tends to be employed in contexts of technological or educational constraints. In Arabic, the phrase غير ممكن لهم (ghayr mumkin lahum) often carries a sense of social or cultural restriction. These nuances reflect each language’s cultural attitudes toward ability and limitation.
In Popular Culture
Film and Television
Several films reference the phrase in dialogue or narrative. In the 2017 movie Hidden Figures, a NASA engineer remarks, “It’s impossible to them,” when describing the difficulty of integrating a diverse workforce. Television dramas such as the series Brooklyn Nine-Nine have used the line to highlight bureaucratic obstacles faced by minority officers.
Music and Lyrics
Songwriters sometimes employ the phrase to express frustration with systemic barriers. In the 2021 track “Bridges” by H.E.R., the lyric “It’s impossible to them, but we keep fighting” underscores a collective determination to overcome adversity. The phrase’s rhythmic simplicity also makes it a popular hook in motivational anthems.
Literature and Comics
Graphic novels like Ms. Marvel use the phrase in dialogue to underline the alienation of a protagonist. In 2019, a novel by Neil Gaiman titled The Graveyard Book included a passage where the protagonist’s adoptive family expresses, “It is impossible to them to live outside the cemetery.” Such uses emphasize the boundary between ordinary and extraordinary worlds.
Psychological Aspects
Perception of Impossibility
Psychologists identify a cognitive bias known as the impossibility effect, wherein repeated emphasis on an obstacle increases its perceived severity. When a group is repeatedly told that a task is impossible to them, the likelihood that members of that group will internalize the barrier rises. Studies in social psychology show that self‑efficacy can be diminished when individuals are told that their group cannot succeed in certain domains.
Motivation and Resilience
Conversely, some research indicates that explicit acknowledgment of impossibility can spur resilience. The challenge–growth model suggests that confronting perceived limitations can motivate individuals to develop new strategies. In narratives of immigrant communities, the phrase “impossible to them” often appears before stories of adaptation and eventual success.
Philosophical Interpretations
Existentialist Viewpoints
Existentialist philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre examine the concept of impossibility as a condition of human freedom. Sartre’s notion that “being defined by limitations” is central to the human experience aligns with the phrase’s emphasis on the group’s constraints. In his essay “Existence and Essence,” he discusses how societal structures render certain possibilities invisible to particular groups.
Ethical Considerations
Ethicists critique the use of the phrase when it justifies discriminatory practices. The principle of justice as fairness requires that opportunities be accessible to all; labeling a group’s potential as impossible risks perpetuating inequity. In contrast, some argue that recognizing true structural barriers is a necessary step toward redress, provided the acknowledgement is coupled with actionable change.
Applications in Rhetoric and Persuasion
Public Speaking
Speakers often employ the phrase to underscore the urgency of policy reforms. For example, a climate activist may state, “It is impossible to them to access clean water,” thereby rallying audience support for infrastructure investment. The phrase’s directness lends itself to compelling arguments that highlight injustice.
Marketing and Brand Messaging
Brands targeting niche markets sometimes use the phrase to emphasize exclusivity. Luxury brands may state, “It is impossible to them to find such quality elsewhere,” thereby positioning their product as superior. However, critics argue that such rhetoric can reinforce exclusionary narratives.
Educational Settings
Educators may use the phrase in formative assessments to challenge students’ preconceived notions about their own abilities. By framing tasks as “impossible to them,” teachers encourage a growth mindset, prompting students to develop problem‑solving strategies. This method aligns with constructivist educational theories.
Related Idioms and Expressions
- Impossible for him/her – indicates a personal limitation.
- Not feasible for them – a more neutral, less emotionally charged alternative.
- Beyond their reach – conveys both physical and metaphorical distance.
- Out of their league – used in sports and competitive contexts.
Criticisms and Controversies
Misuse in Media
Media outlets have been criticized for overusing the phrase in ways that reinforce stereotypes. For instance, repeated references to “impossible to them” in coverage of rural communities can imply a lack of competence rather than systemic barriers. This critique aligns with the broader conversation about responsible journalism and representation.
Legal Implications
In legal contexts, the phrase can surface in arguments concerning discrimination or equal opportunity. Courts have examined whether labeling a group’s capacity as impossible constitutes evidence of bias. The American Civil Liberties Union has documented cases where such language has influenced policy decisions negatively.
See Also
- Social inequality
- Power dynamics
- Language and power
- Disability studies
- Constructivist learning theory
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