I’m excited that it’s summer and also literary sources
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
I’m currently sitting in the library looking down at a blossoming garden as a feeling of general contentment wraps around each of my brain folds, swaddling them in the tiniest, softest serotonin blanket there ever was. My partner and I left town on May 11th when the trees were still bare and when we got back everything had popped right open! It’s all lush and green now and the air feels summery, which is marvellous because summer air means the threat of winter is finally gone. A key tenet of my worldview is that there exists only 2 seasons and they are Summer and The Threat of Winter. Spring and Fall don’t really exist because winter makes it all about him and threatens to bust in at any moment. Summer is the only time we are truly free of Winter’s tyranny and can finally LIVE. Or at least I can finally live. I find that other people often complain about summer being “too hot” or “too humid” and forget that the alternatives are much worse. Not me though! The honest to gourd truth is that I do not relate to your discomfort one bit because I am too full of gratitude about it finally being the only good season that feeling any sort of annoyance at the weather is nearly unthinkable. What I’m trying to say is that one time I told my partner, “summer is superior because I can borp around town floopin’ my tooties” and I think that is really all you need to know. I just love it so much!
Anyhow, as I gaze back out at the garden and let out a wistful sigh, I’m reminded that you are not here to read about how I’m the only Jewess to thrive in humidity (not to brag). You are presumably here to passively scan the promised bibliography of literary sources for my project. Here it is:
Conversational Style: Analyzing Talk Among Friends by Deborah Tannen
This is the book where Tannen originated the term Cooperative Overlapping. It is kind of a textbook but is honestly fun to read and a handy introduction to conversational analysis. I also skimmed this article for further reading on the topic of (Ashkenazi)Jewish speech styles and that lead me to this article that was linked in a previous newsletter about why those speech styles may have emerged.
Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation by Michael Agar
An interesting read all about how culture shapes communication. It’s provides clear explanations of linguistics and anthropological theories without being too dry. Agar includes plenty of interesting anecdotes about his travels and conversations with academic peers as well as normal folks he meets while exploring different cultures
Talk on The Wild Side: Why Language Can't Be Tamed by Lane Greene
This is one feels like the most basic bitch pop-linguistics book in the bunch. Sometimes you can tell the author is pleased with himself, which is annoying, but overall I thought it was an enjoyable read about the evolution of language.
The Power of Babel by John McWhorter
This book is essentially a more fun combo of the two above, with some added emphasis on sounds and how words are made. McWhorter seems to be a bit of a superstar linguist (if such a thing exists), albeit a controversial one. I only found out about his views on anti-racism while writing this newsletter and need to do more research on the topic.
In The Land of Invented Languages by Arika Okrent
This is an incredibly fun book that examines many instances of people setting out to invent languages and mostly failing. It really puts into perspective just how complicated and innate language is to humans. The book is framed around Okrent going to an Esperanto conference, so it doubles as a deep dive into a fascinating sub-culture.
The Analytical Language of John Wilkins by Jorge Luis Borges
This is a creative essay parodying John Wilkins’ An Essay Towards a Real Character, and a Philosophical Language. Both Wilkins and this Borges piece are brought up often in the books I’ve listed above, in addition to many other texts that wish to illustrate the results of artificial order and/or the futility of strict classifications.
Babel-17 by Samuel R. Delaney
There are plenty of sci-fi books about language, but I’ve only read this one. It’s a futuristic, queer, space story with a genius female protagonist. It’s fantastic. Delaney was super interested in Linguistic Relativity and wrote this book, at least in part, to reflect his belief in the theory. In a later interview, he clarified that he no longer believes so strongly in the theory as it doesn’t take into account the complexity and abundance of linguistics mechanisms in discourse.
I turned to Wikipedia and other sources to learn about phatic communication but was first introduced to the concept in Because Internet: Understanding How Language is Changing by Gretchen McCulloch (which is an overall wonderful and informative read although a little boring at times IMO). I also skimmed the following 2 articles: http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.linguistics.20140301.02.html https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232003359_How_Are_You_Negotiating_Phatic_Communion
Through The Language Glass: Why The World Looks Different in Other Languages by Guy Deutscher
This book isn’t so much a defence of linguistic relativity, but rather a collection of case studies about the small ways our mother tongue alters perception. Deutscher also suffers from “seems very pleased with himself” syndrome but whatever, who cares. I too am often pleased with myself and there are only so many hours in the day I can dedicate to rolling my eyes at middle aged white men.
The Wug Test by Jenny Kronovet
I’ve already mentioned that I did not particularly connect with the poems, however they did expand and offer alternate readings on many of the theories I’d already been learning about and it was fun to read poetry that was so wholly steeped in linguistics.
Special Mentions:
WordSlut: A Feminist Guide for Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell
Did I directly use anything from this book for When we speak? No, I did not but it deserves a special mention because it’s wonderful and I think everyone should read it. You don’t need a one line summary here. The title says it all.
The Allusionist Podcast
A podcast about language and words and communication. Similar to WordSlut, I’ve not been directly influenced by these episodes (I think), however it definitely needs a special mention. Can’t recommend it enough. I’ve been listening for years and look forward to every new episode.
The Lingthusiasm Podcast
This is a new addition to my podcast rotation. It’s hosted by linguists Lauren Gawne and Gretchen McCulloch, whose book I mentioned above. They are so passionate and, well, enthusiastic about what they talk about that its contagious.
I’d say that The Allusionist has a more general focus on language, words and communication while Lingthusiasm is really only about linguistics terms and theories.
How to Disappear: Notes of Invisibility in a Time of Transparency by Akiko Busch
I don’t know yet how this will factor into When we speak, but it felt super relevant as I was reading. My plan is to dive back in to this next month after I’ve seen the project come to life and will inevitably have to rework my entire concept and statement.
And now, I present to you 4 more language-y books that I’m looking forward to reading and/or receiving for my birthday, which is very soon. Thankyousomuch.
Word Origins and Their Romantic Stories by Wilfred Funk
Kingdom of Characters: The Language Revolution That Made China Modern by Jing Tsu
The Babel Message: A Love Letter To Language by Keith Kahn-Harris
On Language and Poetry: Three Essays by Lev Petrovich Yukablinsky
In a month or so, I’ll send a second “bibliography” newsletter that focuses on visual art. For now, I hope you’re all flooping your tooties and enjoying the only season that matters!!!!
*surprises you with matching friendship bracelets in your favourite colour*