Murat itibaren Shoytobe, Kazakistan itibaren Shoytobe, Kazakistan

I like this book even more after teaching it. There is so much symbolism and loads of great psychological questions to spark discussion. I wish I had started this earlier in the year, so we could've delved into it more. Read Aug. 2012

Ihan hauska, sujuva ja vauhdikasta actionia täynnä + kauniit kuvat. Mikä ettei? Yksi tähti on pakko ottaa pois noista homoista kovista kansista ja siitä, että jatkoa ei aivan taatusti koskaan nähdä.

Want to state immediately, that I did not read this book cover to cover. Started it probably in November and with one thing or another, knew I would never complete it whole. So, I read parts of it and thought it was time to get it back on the library shelf! With that said, must say it is excellent. Very thought provoking as I have been interested in language--as a mystery. How does the little kid in Chicago learn how to express him/herself as does one in Beijing--in totally different ways. Have wondered if our language prevents us from certain thinking or do we think differently because we have different language. Well, Deutscher confesses that we don’t know. There have been extensive experiments done (he describes many) and technologies employed with no concrete answers. As he said, an MRI shows us where the ‘lights’ are on but do we know what is happening? Since I had recently listened to The Odyssey, Deutscher’s explanation of the evolution of ‘color language’ was interesting. I thought it was odd that the sea was constantly described as black and other unusual word usage in The Odyssey. According to Deutscher, the Greeks did not have a developed color sense so they couldn’t view blues, purples etc. Have never heard of that before. Very interesting and it makes sense of some of the medieval reading I have done too as Deutscher explains our optical evolution. For expression, our words can sometimes not suffice for what we want to say. Classic example for me is the Danish word, huglig. This means, welcoming, cozy, comfortable, hospitable…. A Dane would tell you that they went to a friend’s house and it was huglig—creating an entire connotation. Does that make the cultures think / act differently? Creating a huglig home is very important to Danes--- so did they match a word to their characteristic or the reverse? Deutscher may not take a firm stand. Okay, way too long of an entry for a book I didn’t read all the way through but can assure you I will return to this and finish it. Just think it is time to get it back on the shelf for others to enjoy.