5 reactions
In "The Secret History" why is English described like this?
One of my favourite moments in Donna Tart's "The Secret History" is when Richard, our narrator, describes Greek and what makes it so fascinating to him. He then contrasts it to English and declares "our shared language is the language of the intricate, the peculiar, the home of pumpkins and ragamuffins and bodkins and beer..." later he declares that Greek unlike English is "obsessed with action" and innocent of all quirks and cranks."
While I've always enjoyed this passage I, unfortunately, am monolingual and have no knowledge of any ancient languages. I don't really understand what Richard is saying. What makes Greek a language of action if English is not? Why would English be the language of the peculiar and intricate? What does he mean by quirks and cranks?
Can anyone help me? What's your interpretation?
#entertainment
source
One of my favourite moments in Donna Tart's "The Secret History" is when Richard, our narrator, describes Greek and what makes it so fascinating to him. He then contrasts it to English and declares "our shared language is the language of the intricate, the peculiar, the home of pumpkins and ragamuffins and bodkins and beer..." later he declares that Greek unlike English is "obsessed with action" and innocent of all quirks and cranks."
While I've always enjoyed this passage I, unfortunately, am monolingual and have no knowledge of any ancient languages. I don't really understand what Richard is saying. What makes Greek a language of action if English is not? Why would English be the language of the peculiar and intricate? What does he mean by quirks and cranks?
Can anyone help me? What's your interpretation?
#entertainment
source
| 41,000 mlx | |
| 37 | |
| 5 |