Download or read book The Book of Babel written by Nigel Lewis and published by . This book was released on 2003-11 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This extended essay-lexicon celebrates the creative confusion of the world's languages as they interact in overheard echoicÓ words, muddled popular etymologies, & the misunderstandings among cultures. This book examines the amazing & amusing category mistakesÓ of metaphor. Why are whitecapped waves white horsesÓ in English, sheepÓ in French, & little goatsÓ in Spanish? What is the connection between birds nests, baskets, & friendship? Eggs & eyes? Focuses on a single location to show how multiple meanings arose from the mixed & immemorial activities of peasant life. Shows ancient patterns of perception & prejudice at work as well as the resourceful power of the mind to reap a rich crop of meaning from a small seedcorn of words.