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

[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!