Exploring Language at the Library
“Language is the liquid, that we’re all dissolved in.
Great for solving problems, after it creates a problem.”
-Modest Mouse
We all deal in language. It drives our thoughts, interactions, and even our culture as we utilize it to describe and understand the world. And oh, what a melodic and motley mistress to which we have so inescapably endeared ourselves. Words evolve around us every day, going in and out of style, often gaining or losing meaning. Simple phrases can stun or serenade. Reckless remarks are rarely overlooked. And each unique language allows for different methods of expression. In Polish, kilkanaście means about equal to or more than a dozen, but less than twenty. In English, the closest equivalent might be “a couple severals”, but I wouldn’t recommend it for everyday use.
Interface of Mango
If your tongue has ever been tempted by the diphthongs of another dialect, you might consider dipping a toe into the Mango Languages resource offered for free through our library website. You simply need a valid library card number to sign up, creating an email login and password. Once logged in, you will instantly have access to courses for over 70 languages. These introductory and intermediate courses are divided into units composed of individual exercises. This makes it extremely easy to pick up right where you left of, or put extra practice into a specific area of interest. Mango Languages is the perfect tool if you are planning an overseas trip, or if you just want to try out language learning at your own pace.
On the off chance that you aren’t feeling ready to take on an entirely new vernacular, translated works offer a fully realized glimpse into stories and cultures from around the world. Translators take on the intricate art of conveying the authentic essence of the original author’s words; carefully molding any linguistic idiosyncrasies into coherent clauses. And exceptional translations see both authors weaving a seamless and singular narrative for the reader.
From Our Catalog
Perhaps, however, the burgeoning holiday season has you utterly fed up with words altogether. Luckily, language is not the only art we have at the ready. If you’ve no time for mixed metaphors or fatherly farces, but still crave a tome of tales, you might want to take a good look at one of these scarcely sentenced graphic novels.
From Our Catalog
Image Source: Ad Reinhardt, “How to Look at Space”, Arts and Architecture Magazine, January 1947, http://www.artsandarchitecture.com/issues/pdf01/1947_01.pdf
Even when reading a wordless narrative, our own experiences will bring language to the art. Just as learning a new language or reading a translated work can help expand our worldview, paying close attention to the stories and histories we, as individuals, bring to silent art can help us better understand ourselves and how we perceive the world around us.
