Overview

A mind-expanding, deeply humane tour of language by the bestselling author of Born on a Blue Day and Thinking in Numbers. Is vocabulary destiny? Why do clocks talk to the Nahua people of Mexico? Will A.I. researchers ever produce true human-machine dialogue? In this mesmerizing collection of essays, Daniel Tammet answers these and many other questions about the intricacy and profound power of language. In Every Word Is a Bird We Teach to Sing, Tammet goes back in time to London to explore the numeric language of his autistic childhood; in Iceland, he learns why the name Blaer became a court case; in Canada, he meets one of the world's most accomplished lip readers. He chats with chatbots; contrives an e-less essay on lipograms; studies the grammar of the telephone; contemplates the significance of disappearing dialects; and corresponds with native Esperanto speakers - in their mother tongue. A joyous romp through the world of words, letters, stories, and meanings, Every Word Is a Bird We Teach to Sing explores the way communication shapes reality. From the art of translation to the lyricism of sign language, these essays display the stunning range of Tammet's literary and polyglot talents.

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9781478991274

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Reviews

With Einsteinian elegance, Tammet recasts our perceptions of the human experience in this extraordinary collection of essays. His remarkable talent for expression-for enlightening, moving, and transforming his reader-reveals a rare combination of ingenuity and artistry. -- David Finch, author of The Journal of Best Practices Thinking in Numbers is a magnificently, movingly peculiar and wise book. -- Kurt Andersen, author of True Believers Intriguing, provocative-to wrestle with numbers in this way is an adventure. -- Lydia Davis, author of The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis How many mathematicians are dazzling storytellers as well? What a joy to read an author whose dexterity with digits is matched by his wisdom with words. -- David Eagleman, PhD, author of Incognito A engrossing blend of autobiography, mathematical theory, and 'what if' speculations, Daniel Tammet's essays allow us to see the world through the lens of numbers. The result is fascinating, even dizzying series of fresh perspectives on things we thought we knew. -- Billy Collins, New York Times bestselling author Like Oliver Sacks' compendium of rare neurological anomalies, Tammet's intriguing cases of linguistic idiosyncrasies expand our notions on what it means to be human. He gives insight ranging from cultural perception and social dominance, to the features of Esperanto as a universal language. Most fascinating is Tammet's own astonishing linguistic mind, in which a single word evokes fully textured experiences-an innate ability that would dazzle any storyteller in love with words and their deepest meanings. -- Amy Tan, New York Times bestselling author A fascinating journey through language and some of its many varied forms and uses. -- Booklist A delightful, diverse collection of essays. Great fun and the perfect gift for any math-phobic person, young or old. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Whether or not readers consider themselves mathematically inclined, they will be enthralled. This book will charm just about anyone. -- Library Journal (starred review) Tammet is a master of gleaning profound insights from seemingly mundane trivia...This is a delightful book. -- Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed review) Always informative, always entertaining, Daniel Tammet never loses his respect for the mystery of the universe of number. -- J. M. Coetzee, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature

Thinking in Numbers is a magnificently, movingly peculiar and wise book. -- Kurt Andersen, author of True Believers Intriguing, provocative-to wrestle with numbers in this way is an adventure. -- Lydia Davis, author of The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis A engrossing blend of autobiography, mathematical theory, and 'what if' speculations, Daniel Tammet's essays allow us to see the world through the lens of numbers. The result is fascinating, even dizzying series of fresh perspectives on things we thought we knew. -- Billy Collins, New York Times bestselling author A fascinating journey through language and some of its many varied forms and uses. -- Booklist Tammet is a master of gleaning profound insights from seemingly mundane trivia...This is a delightful book. -- Publishers Weekly (starred and boxed review) Always informative, always entertaining, Daniel Tammet never loses his respect for the mystery of the universe of number. -- J. M. Coetzee, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature With Einsteinian elegance, Tammet recasts our perceptions of the human experience in this extraordinary collection of essays. His remarkable talent for expression-for enlightening, moving, and transforming his reader-reveals a rare combination of ingenuity and artistry. -- David Finch, author of The Journal of Best Practices How many mathematicians are dazzling storytellers as well? What a joy to read an author whose dexterity with digits is matched by his wisdom with words. -- David Eagleman, PhD, author of Incognito Like Oliver Sacks' compendium of rare neurological anomalies, Tammet's intriguing cases of linguistic idiosyncrasies expand our notions on what it means to be human. He gives insight ranging from cultural perception and social dominance, to the features of Esperanto as a universal language. Most fascinating is Tammet's own astonishing linguistic mind, in which a single word evokes fully textured experiences-an innate ability that would dazzle any storyteller in love with words and their deepest meanings. -- Amy Tan, New York Times bestselling author A delightful, diverse collection of essays. Great fun and the perfect gift for any math-phobic person, young or old. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Whether or not readers consider themselves mathematically inclined, they will be enthralled. This book will charm just about anyone. -- Library Journal (starred review)

Author Information

Daniel Tammet is a writer, linguist, and educator. He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller Born on a Blue Day. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has been featured in the New York Times, London Guardian, London Telegraph, and many other publications.

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