In linguistics, periphrasis is the usage of multiple separate words to carry the meaning of prefixes, suffixes or verbs, among other things, where either would be possible.

The species once known as the Atlanteans were the Galaxy’s great curators. They visited the artisanal planets to observe and appreciate their masterpieces.

The great masterpiece of planet Earth was its language. The Atlanteans admired its manifold morphemes, suspended like raindrops in sunlight, producing perfect prisms of meaning with each shifting syllabic breeze. So great was their awe, the Atlanteans stayed longer than was their custom, each day noticing anew the delicate balance of conceptual contrast and the subtle harmonies at the core of each spiralling staircase of syntax.

Then one day the balance was destroyed. The Atlanteans discovered that the most remarkable pieces from the Earth’s linguistic repertoire had been plucked from their displays and smashed to bits. Their astonishment intensified when they learned that this damage had been wrought by the leaders of their own company.

‘The Earth is inviting new guests to arrive after we depart,’ they explained to their bemused companions. ‘Their task will be to create a new language out of these broken pieces.’ 

‘Ah,’ chorused the Atlanteans, reassured. They recognised the prophecy. ‘The Mosaic Makers are coming.’

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Would you like to know more about this story? Watch the video I made about it. I also discuss ‘The Mosaic Makers’ in Episode 70 of Structured Visions.