![]() ![]() SignatureReviewed by Christine KenneallyThe ways language and thought intertwine have long intrigued scientists. Everett was so impressed with their peaceful way of life that he eventually lost faith in the God he'd hoped to introduce to them, and instead devoted his life to the science of linguistics. The Pirahã have no counting system, no fixed terms for color, no concept of war, and no personal property. Everett quickly became obsessed with their language and its cultural and linguistic implications. One of the best books I have read."-Lucy Dodwell, New ScientistĪ riveting account of the astonishing experiences and discoveries made by linguist Daniel Everett while he lived with the Pirahã, a small tribe of Amazonian Indians in central Brazil.ĭaniel Everett arrived among the Pirahã with his wife and three young children hoping to convert the tribe to Christianity. "Immensely interesting and deeply moving. Days went by after this in which I thought long and hard about my purpose among the Pirahãs.Part passionate memoir, part scientific exploration, a life-changing tale set among a small tribe of Amazonian Indians in Brazil that offers a riveting look into the nature of language, thought, and life itself. ![]() ![]() This was a setback for my missionary objectives. Indeed, it had the opposite effect, highlighting our differences. It was clear to them that the fact that someone I had loved had committed suicide was no reason at all for the Pirahãs to believe in my God. Pirahãs don’t kill themselves,” they answered. I was used to reactions like “Praise God!”with my audience genuinely impressed by the great hardships I had been through and how God had pulled me out of them. When I concluded, the Pirahãs burst into laughter. So I told the Pirahãs how my stepmother committed suicide and how this led me to Jesus and how my life got better after I stopped drinking and doing drugs and accepted Jesus. This night, I decided to tell them something very personal about myself-something that I thought would make them understand how important God can be in our lives. I gave no thought to whether all these new concepts, metaphors, and names that I was inventing on the fly were actually intelligible to the Pirahãs. Then the up-high father came into my heart and made me happy and made my life better. I had many women (exaggerating somewhat here), and I was unhappy. Once, I said, I used to drink like the Pirahãs. “I said that our up-high father had made my life better. Does this sound far-fetched? Let's ask ourselves if it is more sophisticated to look at the universe with worry, concern, and a believe that we can understand it all, or to enjoy life as it comes, recognizing the likely futility of looking for truth or God?”ĭon't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle If that is true, the Pirahãs are a very sophisticated people. Perhaps it is their presence of these concerns that makes a culture more primitive, and their absense that renders a culture more sophisticated. Does this make them more primitive? Many anthropologists have suggested so, which is why they are so concerned about finding out the Pirahãs notions about God, the world, and creation.īut there is an interesting alternative to think about things. Truth to the Pirahãs is catching a fish, rowing a canoe, laughing with your children, loving your brother, dying of malaria. Indeed, the concept has no place in their values. “They have no craving for truth as a transcendental reality. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |