There's nothing worse than when you can't understand what someone is trying to say to you—just ask Charlie Brown. It turns out it's tough to communicate with people when you don't speak the same language, and in The Dark is Rising, the Old Ones speak a language that only they can understand. The best part? They are born knowing it; Will is surprised he's speaking it at first because he never remembers learning it. When humans hear the Old tongue, though, they catch nothing but gibberish, keeping the communications between the Old Ones for their ears only.
Well, except when they're communicating telepathically… then it's for their minds only.
Questions About Language and Communication
- Why do you think the Old Ones have their own language? What does it mean that humans can't understand it?
- How does knowing the language differ from learning it? Why is it important that the Old Ones just know the language instinctively and don't have to practice it?
- What's the deal with Will not even knowing he is speaking a different language? Why doesn't he realize?
- Why does Merriman make such a big deal about each individual word? What are other ways of communicating in the book?
Chew on This
In The Dark is Rising, language is essential to the Old Ones' ability to fight the Dark—if they can't talk safely among themselves, their chances of winning are that much less likely.
Even though the Old Ones have their own language, it is really no different than using English or another familiar language to communicate—in the end, they use words just like everyone else.