Secret Language
Codes, Tricks, Spies, Thieves, and Symbols
(Sprache: Englisch)
This book is about language designed to mean what it does not seem to mean. Codes protect secrets. Symbol and magic hide meanings to imperil or delight. Languages made to confuse let insiders talk openly without being understood by others. Barry Blake looks...
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This book is about language designed to mean what it does not seem to mean. Codes protect secrets. Symbol and magic hide meanings to imperil or delight. Languages made to confuse let insiders talk openly without being understood by others. Barry Blake looks in depth at these and many more and illuminates the most arcane and curious uses of language
Klappentext zu „Secret Language “
This book is about language designed to mean what it does not seem to mean. Ciphers and codes conceal messages and protect secrets. Symbol and magic hide meanings to imperil or delight. Languages made to baffle and confuse let insiders talk openly without being understood by those beyond the circle. Barry Blake looks in depth at these and many more. He explores the history and uses of the slangs and argots of schools and trades. He traces the histories of centuries-old cants such asthose used by sailors and criminals, among them polari, the mix of Italian, Yiddish, and slang spoken once among strolling players and circus folk and then taken up by groups in London. He examines the sacred languages of ancient cults and religions, uncovers the workings of onomancy, spells, and
gematria, considers the obliqueness of allusion and parody, and celebrates the absurdities of euphemism and jargon.
Secret Language takes the reader on fascinating excursions down obscure byways of language, ranging across time and culture. With revelations on every page it will entertain everyone with an urge to know more about the most arcane and curious uses of language.
Inhaltsverzeichnis zu „Secret Language “
1. On Being Mysterious; 2. From Anagrams to Cryptic Crosswords; 3. Talking in Riddles; 4. Ciphers and Codes; 5. Biblical Secrets; 6. Words of Power; 7. Words to Avoid; 8. Jargon, Slang, and 'Secret Languages'; 9. The Everyday oblique; 10. Elusive Allusions; 11. Finale; Appendix; Select Bibliography; Index
Autoren-Porträt von Barry J. Blake
BARRY BLAKE is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at La Trobe University in Melbourne. His numerous books range from bestselling textbooks on grammar, to studies of Australian aboriginal language, historical linguistics, andmost recentlyon humour in the English language.
Bibliographische Angaben
- Autor: Barry J. Blake
- 2010, 352 Seiten, Maße: 13,7 x 19,8 cm, Gebunden, Englisch
- Verlag: Oxford University Press
- ISBN-10: 0199579288
- ISBN-13: 9780199579280
Sprache:
Englisch
Rezension zu „Secret Language “
'Secret Language' will delight anyone willing to while away a lazy afternoon, crossword in hand. Kerstin Hoge, Times Literary Supplement An enthralling survey. Jonathan Sale, The Independent What we have here is a wonderful weekend read. The Times A serious wolf of a book about linguistics wrapped in the sheep's clothing of frisky pleasure in the originality and versatility of words. The Times The subtitle is both accurate and cryptic, and provides only a hint of just how intriguing and diverting a book this isPart of the fascination of the book comes from noticing how often these modes of concealment resemble one another, or bleed togetherIt is good to have a book that gives you something to ponder without being ponderous itself. And it can be recommended in particular to anyone disposed to find language itself, as such, a source of pleasure. Scott McLemee, writing in nside Higher Education
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