Language myths, mysteries, and magic explores the mysterious side of language connected to aspects of the supernatural. It probes into a wide range of weird, language related phenomena, such as blasphemy, Bigfoot language, hypnosis, handwriting analysis, chain letters, spells, spirit writing, and hidden satanic messages.
The book consists of 5 parts. Part I (Magical language) holds that language is a crucial catalyst in magical belief, thinking, and performance by analyzing curses, charms, taboos, divination, prefiction, prayer and chain letters. Part II (Possessed language) explores real-life cases where people appear to be possessed by something that talks or writes through them. This part looks at strange, spontaneous accents, the sudden ability to speak foreign languages, speaking in tongues, past-life regression, mediumship, and spirit writing while the author searches for possible explanations for these phenomena. Part III (Hidden language) studies hidden messages and meaning found in symbols, songs, speech, and written word. This part takes a look at electronic voice phenomena, the Bible Code, the theory of reverse speech, secret symbols of the Freemasons, and claims that hidden messages prove that Paul is dead, but Elvis is still alive. Part IV (Non-human language) explores bizarre claims about non-human language including talking animals, pet psychics, psychic pets, monster language, alien language, talking objects. Part V (Therapeutic Language) discusses popular language-based therapies and theories, including graphology, neurolinguistic programming, hypnosis, body language, and speech and sound therapies.
Readers might be familiar with the subjects, including the Bible Code, Nostradamus predictions, the supposed healing power of prayer, and whether Elvis is dead or not. Rather than repeating the same old stories, the author provides new insight into these classic phenomena and investigates topics about which little has been written before, such as the chain letters, blasphemy, neurolinguistic programming, alien and monster languages mentioned above, devices that seem to be able contact the dead, and talking dolls. By doing so, the author exposes nonsense and superstitions, and enhances readers’ appreciation of the wondrous human ability of language to transmit ideas from mind to mind with apparently magical power. Readers soon grasp after reading this book that while language does have power, it isn't particularly or definitely magical or mysterious.
All in all, this is a book that certainly contributes to an understanding of how language has many real-world powers that might seem mysterious. It is an interesting book, as well as a contribution to the extension of language power and myths. This book touches on a range of issues, from Foreign Accent Syndrome to Bigfoot language, in a fun and interesting discussion and should be appealing to those who take an interest in lexicology and sociolinguistics, particularly in relation to myths and superstitions about language.
