Is vocabulary destiny? Why do clocks "talk" to the Nahua people of Mexico? Will A.I. researchers ever produce true human-machine dialogue? In this mesmerizing collection of essays, Daniel Tammet answers these and many other questions about the profound power of language. In Iceland, he learns why the name Bl?r became a court case; in Canada, he meets one of the world's most accomplished lip readers. This is a joyous romp through the world of words and the way communication shapes reality.