Truth and Linguistics

[kerravonsen]

Interesting quote from the book I'm currently reading(*):
Their [human] language is equally confusing. Who can believe what they say if every word has several meanings?

Which makes one wonder... for of course, in human languages, one can lie while telling the truth. Yet what a poor language it would be if words had only one meaning.

Does poetry lie in ambiguity? Or does poetry lie in ambiguity?

(*) "City of Pearl" by Karen Traviss

Comments

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

Not like Chalion? But... but... I found it deeply absorbing. Cazaril is wonderful! But then, I prefer fantasy, and have no interest in the Vorkosigan books.

[kerravonsen]

I'm wondering if it's the formality of the language which vilakins is finding to be a barrier rather than part of the world-building.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It is! I also get tired of sexist societies being the norm in fantasy.

[kerravonsen]

And yet when people try to do the reverse, and write matriarchies (in SF or F), they usually look like oppressive patriarchies with the labels switched. Which is just as bad.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Agreed. That's sexist too. What's wrong with equality, as Bujold has in her Betan society? In my future (unwritten original novels) people are judged by their ability, not their sex.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'm persisting with it. I do like Cazaril (wise and gentle man) but I feel oddly detached from most of the characters. I think the formal language has that effect on me. It's an interesting world, but I do wish people could imagine something other than the hackneyed old feudal sexist society; she uses that model for Barrayar too. The religion is fresh and interesting though.

Don't worry if I don't respond for a while; I'm off to bed now. [realises] But what are you doing up?

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

::scratches head:: I suppose one difference is that I like formal language a lot, and it seems particularly appropriate here since most characters are members of the nobility, rather than the everyday folk. I also tend to like books where religious faith is portrayed as a positive, meaningful part of the characters' lives.

And I'm up because I'm too lazy to go to bed. Going now.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Just thought I'd tell you both that I'm enjoying 'Curse of Chalion' a lot more now. I liked Cazaril from the start, but it seemed to take a while to get going, though I was also fascinated by Umegat when he appeared. Even more so now that Dondo's dead (avoiding spoilers here) and things are getting very interesting. The religious aspect is very inventive.

Is the sequel worth getting if Cazaril isn't in it? Do any of these characters appear?

[kerravonsen]

The sequel is probably worth getting. While I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one, it did take one of the minor characters from the first book and took them on a journey (a physical one, and a journey of self) and made them a lot more interesting... And the religion got even more inventive. And it puts paid to the idea that only the young have adventures (grin).

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'll give it a go next year. When you say 'more interesting', you imply they weren't so much before, so it can't be Umegat; pity. The only old person I can think of is Nan or the thumbless groom.

She does have a thing with hands, doesn't she? All her characters use them a lot.

[kerravonsen]

I'm trying not to spoil, especially as you haven't finished the first book, and my cryptic remarks are probably just confusing you. No, the person isn't *old*, they're just not *young*. I can't really say why "more interesting" because it would be a spoiler.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

OK, you may have sucked me in. :-) I'm hoping to have at least a month off: lots of reading time!