The Voynich Manuscript

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The full manuscript in high resolution

Language doors

Languages are keys opening doors to new worlds.

The more languages you know, the more doors you can open.

Languages as association games

Etymology is a science revealing associations. Very basic, concrete words are easy to name, while words denoting more abstract or constructed things are often named by association from concrete, easy to understand words.

In English, pen = "writing implement," c.1300, from O.Fr. penne "quill pen, feather," from L. penna "feather," from PIE *petna-, suffixed form of root *pet- "to rush, fly" (source).

In Russian, pen (ручка) is diminutive from 'рука' (hand, arm) making it something like 'a small hand/arm'.

This way, languages = idea pools/association ranges

Language wish list

- Old English
- Scottish Gaelic
- Coptic
- Icelandic
- Chinese
- Finnish
- Dutch

Composing poetry

Poetry has rhythm like music. If I have a certain rhythmic phrase on my mind, it's very easy to add words to it.

Usually, a poem begins with a beautiful first line. The other lines come naturally once the first one has been caught.

How to learn a new language

1. Set a clear, motivating goal
2. Learn it for fun, every day
3. Watch and read everything I can in that language (random)
4. Dive into the culture
5. Write and speak the language, even to myself
6. Learn songs in the language
7. Watch soaps
8. Read articles and interesting books

Learning excellence

1. Watch a master do it
2. Imitate + learn the skills
3. Apply the skills to your own ideas