over the course of 2400-2500 years, the old tongue morphs into the modern language. this is fine, despite the fact that the structure of the two languages is very different. then hawkwing sends his armies to seanchan and over 1000 years pass until present time. i know handling multiple languages is a beast for authors, but it is impossible that there is no language drift between the languages of seanchan and randland. there is no way the two languages would have drifted to the same tongue, albeit with 'accents'. it wouldn't bother me so much if rj hadn't already included the concept of language changing over time, but as it is, ergh!
I know, this irritated me as well. I mean - if you went back in time 1000 years you'd find English-speakers incomprehensible, it was a completely different language. It's difficult enough reading books written only three or four hundred years ago! And the Seanchan language ought to have changed even more with the myriad of cultures they conquered and absorbed. And what about the Aiel and the Sea Folk?
Mind you - there are enough communication problems in this story, can you imagine how much worse six or seven different languages would make that? XD But it would make sense - and reflect the world better - if there was one 'main' language of trade and politics, and each culture had one or two of its own, as well.
little things that irk you
30/03/2010 06:16:19 PM
- 1837 Views
All the GOOD GUYS smoke
30/03/2010 08:24:42 PM
- 1226 Views

Culturally it's probably an accurate description. It is 16th/17th century
30/03/2010 08:47:19 PM
- 959 Views
Men vs. Women
30/03/2010 09:00:50 PM
- 1125 Views
I agree - IRL I often notice that it's less "men" vs "women", and moreso personality clashes.
31/03/2010 02:45:16 PM
- 816 Views
Sword Forms
30/03/2010 09:37:02 PM
- 899 Views
I love Sword forms.
30/03/2010 10:06:03 PM
- 907 Views
Re: I love Sword forms.
30/03/2010 10:13:06 PM
- 953 Views
I'm of the opinion that blademasters are not the match of a powerful warrior
31/03/2010 03:34:49 PM
- 902 Views
RJ's spelling and pronunciation of names.
31/03/2010 12:31:44 AM
- 2507 Views
yeah, the fact that the different languages are there is totally fine and enjoyable....
31/03/2010 04:45:28 PM
- 838 Views
Re: little things that irk you
31/03/2010 01:16:51 AM
- 968 Views
Re: little things that irk you
31/03/2010 02:51:12 AM
- 821 Views
WORD! is it really so amazing when channelers 'invent' something new?
31/03/2010 04:46:43 PM
- 1043 Views
Re: WORD! is it really so amazing when channelers 'invent' something new?
31/03/2010 09:00:50 PM
- 820 Views
RJ should show more evil things...
31/03/2010 12:41:25 PM
- 979 Views
I think he doesn't know how to write what an evil character would look or sound like
31/03/2010 03:27:36 PM
- 892 Views
Yip - he pretty much confirms that
01/04/2010 03:35:32 PM
- 819 Views
You'd need to be crazy or weak to write Fain easily
02/04/2010 05:33:32 AM
- 843 Views
Re: little things that irk you *NM*
31/03/2010 02:25:38 PM
- 521 Views
Yes
01/04/2010 03:25:48 PM
- 890 Views
I've always wondered why RJ didn't try to develop this theme ...
01/04/2010 06:10:23 PM
- 883 Views
It's less of a theme and more like a case of mental derangement
01/04/2010 09:04:58 PM
- 812 Views
it's even more frustrating that it started to be used for a while
08/04/2010 11:51:42 AM
- 840 Views
tell me about it
02/04/2010 11:34:47 AM
- 790 Views
Attempting to pronounce the dang names. I like the names, but they're so hard to pronounce. *NM*
08/04/2010 03:44:39 AM
- 849 Views
Dealing with being irked--an exercise in fighting fire with fire...
06/05/2010 01:58:04 AM
- 708 Views