Categories: linguistics, reading
Date: 02 September 2008 13:26:35
Unfortunately I found myself rather unwell today: between gastric issues, a fever and a cold, I was rather the worse for wear. I feel slightly better tonight, however my sinuses are rather sore. I took the day off work, and also missed what I am sure was a very entertaining and informative lecture at uni. A guest lecturer we had last semester for the Project Management subject was lecturing tonight for Advanced Project Management, and her lecture last semester was one of the most informative and entertaining I have heard: full of practical advice, "war stories" from Project Management and straight-talking. Perhaps I'll have to repeat this subject so I get a chance to hear it next time. :) Though I am blessed with two great lecturers for my two subjects this semester: it does help to make the trip in to the city after work.
Reading did not feature much today, except an afterword of a book; I was too 'bleh' to do anything really. Though I have been enjoying three books regularly of late: two of them related to language and one an Orthodox commentary on Romans. I will speak of the commentary another time, for it deserves its own post, so here are my musings on the books The English Language, which I finished reading this morning, and In Other Words, which I have just begun.
In Other Words [its glorious subtitle "A Language Lover's Guide to the Most Useful and Intriguing Words From Around the World" grabbed my attention in the bookstore] is a book you can dip in and out of, which is what I am doing. Each "chapter", consisting of 2 to 6 pages [at least from what I've seen having only read 4!], gives a very brief summary of the spread of the language as well as its identifying characteristics. Chapters are grouped into sections, which reflect a particular language family -- and each of these gets a two page or so description.
One thing that fascinates me about languages, in the midst of many things that fascinate me, is how certain languages have words for concepts that we either do not have in English, or where we need to resort to phrases or sentences to express the thought. And what may this tell us, if anything, about the culture of those who use this language? For example, as reality TV made its appearance, I recall the German word schadenfreude [enjoyment derived from observing someone else's misfortune, from Schaden ("damage, harm") + Freude ("joy")] being used constantly to express one reasons for such programmes' popularity. Does this tell us something about Germans in particular? And if so, what? Apparently, and I am taking the author's word at this, Spanish and Italian use the same noun for "sleep" and "dream", whereas English and French do not. Does this tell us anything?
Of course, the book does not aim to give such answers; its purpose is to delight, amuse and inform with such words that have grabbed my attention as:
The afterword, which I read this morning, was fascinating as it looked at what a language can tell us about its speakers, about culture; and furthermore how language is being studied and analysed today.
As with most of my readings on language and linguistics -- well, perhaps all areas, but these are currently particular interests of mine, as soon as I am finished I am left wanting more. But, apart from my regular dips into In Other Words, my focus for the next while will be on The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett, the first Discworld novel. While not generally one for fantasy, the Discworld novels have had me laughing out loud, and are truly wonderfully written books. I have been making my way through whatever is available, and based on the recommendations of others, more fanatical than me. Thankfully my local libraries are rather well-stocked with Pratchett's works. Sadly, Terry Pratchett has a rare form of early-onset Alzeihmer's, but it appears he is fighting on well and keeping his spirits up: and all luck to him, and my prayers.