After spending 2 hours reading John Grisham's "The partner" at the lirary I decided to take my leave when I stumbled upon this book at the librarian's desk, the journey of Dr. Maria Rodriguez of the Amazon rainforest a young linguist, who embarked on a quest to discover a lost language.
Knowing my love for adventurous and discovery books lke this, I was already contemplating going back to my seat to read this book, I have a class that starts in 30 minutes time, If i start reading now I could finish a book of 40 pages in 20 minutes I thought out loud raising my head to look at the librarian who was nodding her head at me as if I was asking for her opinion.
Welp her nod of approval sealed the deal, to cut the story short I was already marching back to my seat anxiously and happy to devour this book.
The indigenous Ticuna people, whose ancestral lands spanned the Brazil-Peru border, possessed a dialect that had defied deciphering for centuries. Dr Maria's fascination with languages began as a child, where she watched her deaf mother communicate through sign language. The elegance and expressiveness of silent communication intrigued and captivated Maria, leading her to study the world's most enigmatic languages, being fluent in 20.
Upon arriving at the Ticuna village, Maria encountered a people whose connection to nature was profound. They lived in harmony with the forest, their daily lives a testament to the beauty of symbiosis. However, their language remained a mystery, with previous attempts at translation yielding little success.
Maria's approach differed from her predecessors. Rather than relying solely on auditory recordings, she immersed herself in the Ticuna culture, learning their customs, rituals, and myths. She spent hours observing the villagers, studying their body language, and participating in their ceremonies.
As Maria delved deeper into the Ticuna world, she began to grasp the essence of their language. It wasn't just a collection of words; it was a symphony of sounds, gestures, and silences. The Ticuna people communicated through a complex interplay of vocalizations, whispers, and, most remarkably, silence.
Maria discovered that the Ticuna language was not just a means of conveying information but an integral part of their spiritual practice. Their silences were not absences of sound but presence-filled moments that connected them to the natural world and their ancestors. As Maria finally began to decipher the Ticuna language, she realized that her own understanding of communication had been transformed. She saw that language was not just a human construct but a bridge between cultures, species, and the land itself.
Maria's research and experiences among the Ticuna people led to a groundbreaking theory: that language is not solely a product of human cognition but an emergent property of the natural world. Her work challenged the dominant paradigms in linguistics, anthropology, and ecology, revealing the intricate web of relationships between humans, animals, plants, and the land.
In the end, Maria's journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest had taught her that the most profound language is not the one we speak but the one we listen to – the language of silence, which whispers secrets of the universe to those who dare to listen.
Basking in the euphoria of such great story until reality dawned on me that now I only have 6 minutes to make it to class before the ever punctual Dr Mrs Geraldine, who punishes latecomers with no access to her class even if you were 1 minute late
There I was running through campus like a theive, reaching the lecture hall I sighted her entering the class. Half through the door "Don't come in" her voice halted me, when the entire class chorused "1 more minute" checking her watch and with disappointent on her face “come in” she said “you won't be so lucky next time". The class visibly but silently cheered as I made my way to an empty seat, what a day!
