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Wild Words: A collection of words from around the world that describe happenings in nature
The book showcases 75 beautiful words evocative of the wild, from all around the world, that describe natural happenings in nature. It includes words that describe weather, or a feeling you have when in nature as well as sensory words that explain the smell or sound of a place.
The words used to express what is seen in the world are vital to an appreciation of it – language is a key component in the call of the wild. As words vanish from a language, it follows that what they describe may disappear. Words deepen understanding of what is seen, and what is seen comes more vividly to life through the words used to describe it. As the natural world and the time spent in it diminish in the face of modern life, it’s more vital than ever to recall it into being with the magic of language.
Each of the 75 words has a 100-word description, including its pronunciation, a geographical/historical/cultural background, as well as reflecting on the emotional/mindful response the natural phenomenon can inspire. Each word is paired with an illustration
Examples:
Mångata. Sweden. Noun. The path of light that the moon makes on water.
Sugar weather. Canada. Noun. A period of warm days and cold nights – the perfect weather to start the sap flowing in maple trees.
Rudėnja. Lithuania. The way nature begins to feel as autumn takes hold and the vestiges of summer disappear.
Komorebi. Japan. Noun. Beams of sunlight filtering down through the trees.
The words used to express what is seen in the world are vital to an appreciation of it – language is a key component in the call of the wild. As words vanish from a language, it follows that what they describe may disappear. Words deepen understanding of what is seen, and what is seen comes more vividly to life through the words used to describe it. As the natural world and the time spent in it diminish in the face of modern life, it’s more vital than ever to recall it into being with the magic of language.
Each of the 75 words has a 100-word description, including its pronunciation, a geographical/historical/cultural background, as well as reflecting on the emotional/mindful response the natural phenomenon can inspire. Each word is paired with an illustration
Examples:
Mångata. Sweden. Noun. The path of light that the moon makes on water.
Sugar weather. Canada. Noun. A period of warm days and cold nights – the perfect weather to start the sap flowing in maple trees.
Rudėnja. Lithuania. The way nature begins to feel as autumn takes hold and the vestiges of summer disappear.
Komorebi. Japan. Noun. Beams of sunlight filtering down through the trees.
- GenresNonfictionNatureArt
160 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2021
6 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hodges
11 books57 followersKate Hodges has written nine books that have been translated into nine languages. Her titles include biography collections Warriors, Witches, Women and I Know A Woman. She has also written guides to London, among them Little London, Rural London, Welcome to the Dark Side: Occult London and London in an Hour, and family activity book On a Starry Night.
She has over 25 years writing experience on magazines, having been a staffer on publications including The Face, Bizarre, Just Seventeen and Sky, and written for many more. She currently writes regularly for The Green Parent and Shindig! magazines. She has twins and lives in Hastings. In her spare time, she plays in bands Ye Nuns and The Hare and Hoofe.
Instagram: @theekatehodges
Twitter: @theekatehodges
www.katehodges.org
She has over 25 years writing experience on magazines, having been a staffer on publications including The Face, Bizarre, Just Seventeen and Sky, and written for many more. She currently writes regularly for The Green Parent and Shindig! magazines. She has twins and lives in Hastings. In her spare time, she plays in bands Ye Nuns and The Hare and Hoofe.
Instagram: @theekatehodges
Twitter: @theekatehodges
www.katehodges.org
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 11, 2023
Така приємна книжечка із незвичними словами з різних мов на позначення природніх феноменів. Красиві ілюстрації, цікаві вирази. Один мінус - три слова російською :<
December 30, 2021
A gorgeous collection of words from around the world that captures and explores our relationship with the natural world; an ode to the beauty of both. From the Swedish word for the silvery paths of moonlight reflecting on water, to the Tagalog word for the smell of rain hitting sun-scorched soil; from the Finnish word for the distance a reindeer can travel before it needs a rest stop, to the Romanian word for the fern-like patterns of frost on window panes; from the Icelandic word for the childlike joy of jumping in puddles, to the Russian word for the dripping sound of melting ice that brings the promise of warmer days: this is such a charming and transporting read.
I really appreciated the broad spectrum of languages featured, from ancient words in near-extinct dialects to modern, recently-coined words. This felt nicely reflective of the constantly evolving nature of language itself.
Hodges writes beautifully, her descriptions as evocative as the beautiful accompanying illustrations. A sense of reverence is clear throughout, the text and art combining to create a cosy, comforting little gem that also educates. A lovely way to spend an evening.
I really appreciated the broad spectrum of languages featured, from ancient words in near-extinct dialects to modern, recently-coined words. This felt nicely reflective of the constantly evolving nature of language itself.
Hodges writes beautifully, her descriptions as evocative as the beautiful accompanying illustrations. A sense of reverence is clear throughout, the text and art combining to create a cosy, comforting little gem that also educates. A lovely way to spend an evening.
May 1, 2022
While the concept of collating wild words is not new and has been done (perhaps better too) by writers like Robert MacFarlane, I did adore the geographical range of the words in this collection as well as the beautiful art accompanying them.
Words I want to adopt into my own dictionary:
1) Dadirri - a word from an Australian Aboriginal language of people living in the Daly River region, meaning to listening deeply, tuning into to earth's resonances.
2) Murr-ma - also from Australia, a Wagiman language word to describe the act of searching something in the water with your feet. I just loved this one so, so much.
3) Alimuóm - Tagalog word for the scent of rain hitting warm earth.
4) Akash Ganga - Sanskrit for thinking of the Milky Way as the Ganges River of the sky!
These are words of attention and divinity and they are at risk of being fully lost as our more-than-human world and the human culture intertwined with it get decimated. Remembering these words is as much about celebrating of nature and language as it is about conserving that which is sacrosanct.
Words I want to adopt into my own dictionary:
1) Dadirri - a word from an Australian Aboriginal language of people living in the Daly River region, meaning to listening deeply, tuning into to earth's resonances.
2) Murr-ma - also from Australia, a Wagiman language word to describe the act of searching something in the water with your feet. I just loved this one so, so much.
3) Alimuóm - Tagalog word for the scent of rain hitting warm earth.
4) Akash Ganga - Sanskrit for thinking of the Milky Way as the Ganges River of the sky!
These are words of attention and divinity and they are at risk of being fully lost as our more-than-human world and the human culture intertwined with it get decimated. Remembering these words is as much about celebrating of nature and language as it is about conserving that which is sacrosanct.
July 14, 2023
A book that explores various words taken from all types of different cultures and ethnic groups to explore various nature-based practices or events such as fox fire, walking on hot sand and weather events just to name a few subjects. As such the reader gets a chance to explore not only nature through the eyes of these various groups but to see the similarities of all these groups and to get to know how they translate their own world.
The book dedicates two pages to each term with the actual term appearing on the left. Under this the reader is provided a pronunciation guide (I really wish other similar books did the same), where the term comes from and also which part of speech or if it is a phrase. All of this is then followed up basically with a paragraph that gives some insight about the origins, what the word is meant to mean and in some cases reflecting terms from other cultures or a bit of a bonus when exploring groups that may have more than word for something. & the artwork is brightly colored and soothing in its own right while the perfect accompaniment.
Even though there were included already words I knew, I must say that I did also enjoy getting to know other terms out there as well. Whether I can add them to my own language repertoire will just have to wait and see if the right time comes along for that....
The book dedicates two pages to each term with the actual term appearing on the left. Under this the reader is provided a pronunciation guide (I really wish other similar books did the same), where the term comes from and also which part of speech or if it is a phrase. All of this is then followed up basically with a paragraph that gives some insight about the origins, what the word is meant to mean and in some cases reflecting terms from other cultures or a bit of a bonus when exploring groups that may have more than word for something. & the artwork is brightly colored and soothing in its own right while the perfect accompaniment.
Even though there were included already words I knew, I must say that I did also enjoy getting to know other terms out there as well. Whether I can add them to my own language repertoire will just have to wait and see if the right time comes along for that....
July 19, 2023
Remember that scence in Disney's Alice in Wonderland where Alice gets bored of her lesson? Instead of Alice it's my 12 year old daughter. We were taking turns reading Shakespeare's sonnets and she got bored really fast. Whenever it was my turn she pulled this from the pile and look at it. I would take this and put it back in the pile and hand her the book to read the next sonnet. This cycle kept repeating it to the point that I finally agreed to put away the sonnets and agreed to start reading this book together. We both enjoyed the words and ended up laughing when trying to pronounce a word. She loves this book and I really enjoyed it. Many of the words I already know especially Hiraeth which I've known already because I suffer with it.
June 6, 2024
How language engages with nature, a celebration of 75 beautiful words, from many languages, that explain a natural phenomenon. A really interesting, insightful book that explores some very intriguing words, their entomology, meaning, links to myths, links to natural phenomenon and how people perceive the world around them. Each word is enhanced by a beautiful illustration as well. An interesting and enjoyable read.
December 21, 2023
A beautiful collection of nature-inspired and almost spiritual words from around the world. I particularly loved the illustrations, and the history behind each selection. A bit of a waffle with the explanations; definitely a casual, ambling book, not a quick reference list.
May 1, 2022
A delightful little book for those who love words and the natural world. It gave me some new perspectives on natural phenomena and ways of experiencing the outdoors. I'll be returning to this one!
July 19, 2023
I kept taking it out of the reading pile and looking at it when I was suppose to read sonnets and art biographies with her.
May 12, 2024
Beautiful pictures highlighting different, unfamiliar words from all around the world that describe feelings, weather, etc. one of my favorites was Mångata, the path of moonlight on the water.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews