Far from opening his dialogue with a trademark malapropism, Nicholas van Rijn displays a fine appreciation of the subtleties of Anglic when he criticizes women for belonging "'...to a brotherhood.'" (p. 139) He has a fine command of language when it suits his purposes. On the following page, he agrees to be a spokesman for the leaders of the League:
"'In a subliminary way.'" (p. 140)
Sublime? Subliminal? Sublunary? Any other offers? There is no "subliminary" in English. Granted that van Rijn mangles Anglic. Nevertheless, the Anglic is translated into English for our benefit so we may infer that there is no "subliminary" in Anglic either. This has to be his first ever malapropism in our hearing. What is the last? It has to occur in his concluding dialogue - including a political speech into the sunset - very near the end of Mirkheim but I do not propose to look that up right now.
Focusing on language has delayed getting to the point of van Rijn's confab with Torres but there is no hurry and it is always productive to take our time when trolling back through Poul Anderson's extremely dense texts. "'Hokay,'" which concludes the dialogue in the later van Rijn story, "Esau," first appears on the opening page of "Margin of Profit."
5 comments:
I think Old Nick mangles the language as a technique (in part) to get (some) people to underestimate him. I also think he enjoys doing it!
-kh
Keith,
Right on.
Paul.
Kaor, Keith!
I agree! Anyone as smart as Nicholas van Rijn would have no trouble mastering standard cultured Anglic.
Sean
Thank you, Gentleman. I think Nick alternates between bluster, apparent foolishness, and false weakness as defense mechanisms. I would've enjoyed more instances where he seemed to be open and genuine, in addition to that message to his grandson (in Mirkheim?). I suspect that inside, Old Nick is a lot like I imagine PA to have been:
intelligent, articulate, and very familiar with the "Night Face".
-kh
Keith,
I think that's his son in MIRKHEIM.
Paul.
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