menu Language Is A Virus

Cobralingus Engine - Metamorphiction Process

by Jeff Noon

Instructions

It uses the Metamorphiction process to apply the techniques of electronic dance music to the production of words, dissolving language. In this mutated, liquid state, words are manipulated into new forms; borrowed text is sampled and transformed.

The Cobralingus Engine allows the user to manipulate language into new shapes and new meanings. The device takes an inlet text as a starting point, which is then processed to create another text entirely, known as the outlet. This outlet text can be seen as the ghost, or the unconscious desire, haunting the original text.

The Cobralingus Engine makes use of the Metamorphiction process. This process imagines text to be a signal, which can be passed through various filter gates, each of which has a specific effect upon the language. Each gate allows the writer to access different creative responses within his or her imagination. The effect of each gate is to produce an interim text, which is transmitted further along the pathway. For instance, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein contains the following sentence: 'I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open.' This text could be pushed through the randomise gate, producing: 'I lulled open the creature of the eye's low way.' We could then enhance this, by changing way into direction, and by adding another letter 's': 'I lulled open the creature of the eye's slow direction.' The words can be altered in these and other ways until, finally, the outlet text is created. This progress is entirely dependant on the user's inspiration, moment to moment, as the text makes its journey through the machine.

This book contains various examples of the Cobralingus Engine in operation. In each case a word-snake diagram allows the reader to follow the transformation of the text as it travels from gate to gate. Along the way it is hoped that each interim text will be of individual interest; however, the real pleasure of Cobralingus comes from enjoying the pieces as a whole. From inlet to outlet, the journey is the goal.

Filter Gates

START

Denotes that the Cobralingus device has been activated.

INLET

The start-up text. The initial signal on which the device will act.

CONTROL

Brings the text down to earth. Forces language to behave itself.

DECAY

Gently breaks down the text. Dissipates. Introduces corruption to the signal.

DRUG

Injects artificial stimulant into the language. Type of drug will always be specified.

ENHANCE

Creates elements of beauty.

EXPLODE

Breaks up signal into highly disordered fragments. To be used with caution.

FIND STORY

Forces text into the nearest possible narrative, however nonsensical.

GHOST EDIT

Kills the text. Calls up a ghost to haunt the language.

HOLD

Temporarily halts the Cobralingus process.

INCREASE SENSE

Significantly enhances text. Increases readability.

MIX

Combines all elements into a single entity.

OVERLOAD

Drastically increases image density of text. To be used with caution.

PLAY GAME

Mischief maker. Encourages craziness. Results may surprise the user.

PURIFY

Loses deadwood. Selects images or phrases from the text.

RANDOMISE

Disorders text. Parts of text may be lost or changed.

RELEASE VIRUS

Attacks text, changing words of choice into others of a similar sound. Recommended for advanced users.

SAMPLE

Introduces new element to signal. Source of sample to be specified.

SEARCH & REPLACE

Uses machine function to introduce new elements to text. Elements always specified. For example, 'Search and Replace: day with night.'

OUTLET

The final result of the filtering process.

SAVE

Denotes that the Cobralingus device has been deactivated.

Cobralingus Source: Instructions

Cobralingus Example

Cobralingus Source: Filtergates