Through the Language Glass

Through the Language Glass is the second book on linguistics by Guy Deutscher that I’ve read recently (the other being The Unfolding of Language).

This popular science book explains various differences between languages, and tackles the rather thorny question of whether the language we think in affects our thoughts in any fundamental way.

Deutscher argues his points well, and I cannot disagree with any of the conclusions he reaches. Nevertheless, as the ultimate point is while that language has an impact on our thoughts and experiences this impact is relatively minor, this book has little that is truly surprising or unexpected.

It is still an interesting and enjoyable read, however, and recommended to those interested in linguistics.

The Unfolding of Language

I have an enduring passion for and interest in language, and was thus quite intrigued when I read about Guy Deutscher’s two books, The Unfolding of Language and Through the Language Glass.

As it was written earlier, I read The Unfolding of Language first. In this work, Deutscher details the processes by which languages change over time. I found his account to be well researched, very interesting and most importantly completely in line with my intuition about plausible ways in which elements of languages develop and alter.

A fascinating book, and one that anyone with an interest in linguistics should read.

Pidgin & Creole Languages

I stumbled on Suzanne Romaine’s work Pidgin & Creole Languages quite by accident in a second-hand bookstore, and was immediately intrigued. I have a continuing interest in languages, especially how they work, how they differ and how they don’t differ, and this seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

It is a rather academic book (it was probably written as a textbook), so I wouldn’t recommend it to those not specifically interested in the content. I found it absolutely fascinating, however, and feel it has added considerably to my knowledge of linguistics. The focus on pidgins and creoles is also particularly interesting, both because they represent languages at their most dynamic and fundamental, and also on a more personal level due to the potentially creole origins of Afrikaans (a topic discussed in the book).

‘n Ander Tongval

Saam met Country of My Skull en Begging to Be Black vorm ‘n Ander Tongval ‘n tipe trilogie, drie afsonderlike werke wat die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing bestudeer en bespreek.

Krog het ‘n ongelooflike vermoe om dinge raak te sien en uit te lig, en wys op al die kompleksiteit, onsekerheid en gereeld humor van die nuwe Suid-Afrika.

Verder is haar teks uiters liries, en ‘n absolute plesier om te lees.

From the Annals: Soli & Koranna

During my last Xhosa class, I asked my lecturer whether there is currently much research into Khoisan (“bushman”) languages, especially given the increasingly few native speakers left. She said that there is still some, especially from German researchers, and further she gave me the following two gems for perusal: Studies oor Korannataal and The grammar of Soli.

Dating from 1928 and 1936 respectively, they present research into the workings of these two languages. The first, Koranna, is a Khoisan language and I could find very little familiar there. I did, however, see the word aba (to carry a baby on one’s back), which has been borrowed into Afrikaans. The second, Soli, is clearly a Bantu language, and even with my rudimentary knowledge of Xhosa the relationship is clear to me, both in terms of grammar and vocabulary.

It is always humbling to be reminded that decades or centuries ago, people were already conducting proper research, and knew far more about their subjects than I am likely ever to. There is so much of interest in the world…