Language and Communication Quotes in The Color of Magic

How we cite our quotes: (Story.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

[The coin] was in fact slightly larger than an 8,000-dollar Ankhian crown and the design on it was unfamiliar, but it spoke inside Hugh's mind in a language he understood perfectly. My current owner, it said, is in need of succor and assistance; why not give it to him, so you and me can go off somewhere and enjoy ourselves? (1.2.11)

There's a nonverbal language to everything we do. It has many attributes to it; the subconscious, body language, and the superego/id dichotomy are all examples. We can only say two things for certain: This aspect of language is extraordinary complex and mysterious, and it's usually pretty good for a laugh.

Quote #2

"How can a book tell a man what to say?" "I wish for an accommodation, a room, lodgings, the lodging house, full board, are your rooms clean, a room with a view, what is your rate for one night?" said Twoflower in one breath. Broadman looked at Hugh. The beggar shrugged. "He's got plenty of money," he said. (1.4.7-10)

The thing about language is that it's only natural so long as it's your language. Thankfully, Twoflower knows how to speak the universal language of cold-hard cash.

Quote #3

"At last!" he said. "My good sir! This is remarkable!" (Although in Trob the last word in fact became "a thing which may happen but once in the usable lifetime of a canoe hollowed diligently by ax and fire from the tallest diamondwood tree that grows in the noted diamonwood forests on the lower slopes of Mount Awayawa, home of the firegods or so it is said.") (1.4.34)

The hidden depths of the words we use everyday are truly extraordinary. Just take a glance at the etymology of most commons words. True, this example is exaggerated for laughs, but just barely.