Skin Hunger: A Resurrection of Magic Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

At the end of the second class, he told us to start reading one of the two books in our rooms—The History and Purpose of the Limòri Academy. Good thing it was that one—the other was in a language I had never seen before. (18.6)

Hahp speaks at least three languages (according to his dad, this'll prepare him to be an awesome merchant), but the script that one of the wizard academy books is written in is a total mystery to him. It kinda makes sense that magic would be in its own language. If nothing else, that makes it seem more mysterious and, well, magical.

Quote #2

"The language is sacred to them, every word… That reinforces Somiss's theories. He is trying to figure out a way to get their help. It could save him a lifetime of study, if they have a written form, and even if they don't, it would put him years ahead of where he is now." (23.42)

Here Franklin is talking about the Gypsies. It makes sense that if their language is sacred to them, they don't necessarily want to go teaching it to outsiders. Maybe they also get an icky vibe off Somiss, who knows.

Quote #3

"She reads?" he asked, as though Sadima wasn't sitting at the table at all. "It's against the ancient decree, Franklin, unless she has some lineage you haven't bothered to tell me about." (25.23)

Imagine a world where only people of noble blood are allowed to learn to read. Yeah, it doesn't sound like a very nice world. Controlling access to information and language is one way of controlling people.