theguardian.com
Carys Davies Wins Ondaatje Prize for Novel "Clear", Highlighting Language Preservation
Carys Davies won the 2023 Ondaatje Prize for her novel "Clear," set on a Scottish island during the Highland Clearances, which utilized a now-extinct Shetland language dictionary, highlighting the urgency of language preservation as the UN reports a language is lost every two weeks.
- What is the significance of Carys Davies's Ondaatje Prize win for the preservation of endangered languages and the literary world?
- Carys Davies's novel "Clear" has won the 2023 Ondaatje Prize for best evoking a place's spirit. Set during the Highland Clearances, it portrays two men's unlikely bond on a Scottish island. Davies thanked Jakob Jakobsen's Shetland language dictionary for its invaluable contribution to the novel.
- How did Jakob Jakobsen's Shetland language dictionary influence the writing of "Clear", and what does this say about the importance of linguistic resources in literature?
- Davies's win highlights the importance of language preservation, as her novel uses the now-extinct Shetland language, echoing the UN's statement that a language is lost every two weeks. The novel's success underscores language's role in shaping our world and cultural understanding.
- What potential future impacts might Davies's win have on the interest in preserving endangered languages, and what could be the long-term implications for the literary landscape?
- This win could inspire further interest in endangered languages and their cultural significance. Davies's use of Jakobsen's dictionary demonstrates the impact of linguistic resources on creative writing and could encourage similar collaborations in the future. The novel's universal themes also suggest a growing appreciation for stories exploring displacement and belonging.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the significance of Carys Davies' win and her use of a nearly extinct language. The headline focuses on the prize win, and the opening sentence reinforces this. The inclusion of Davies' quote about language loss further reinforces the narrative around language preservation and its connection to the book's success. This framing is positive for Davies but might unintentionally diminish the focus on the literary merit of the book itself compared to other aspects.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. Words like "masterpiece," "exquisite," and "scorching power" are used in quotes from reviews, but are presented as opinions rather than statements of fact by the article itself. There's no evidence of loaded language used by the author of the article itself.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Carys Davies' win and the details of the award, but omits any discussion of the other shortlisted authors' works beyond listing their titles. While this is likely due to space constraints, it does create a bias by omission, potentially undervaluing the contributions and merit of other nominated books.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article focuses on a literary prize and does not directly address poverty.