Kristina of Uppsala

The underlying theme of the sequel is the conflict between theanalytic and intuitive methods for the prediction of future formsof language. The first of these is exclusively the creation ofKristina Lucia Winberg (KLW), a Swedish mathematical genius who isat the early stages of her Ph.D. studies at Stockholm. In her view, the intuitive approach to LDA (Language DevelopmentAnalysis), which is favoured by almost all experts in linguistics,including a certain Dr. Thomas Thompson from Oxford, is worthless.The Big Bang occurs when the message is presented vicariously byKLW's nominal supervisor, Professor Edberg, at the final major address of a language conference in Sweden's capital city.Shortly before the explosion, Thomas had been introduced toKristina, and from that moment onwards she pervades his existence.When, later, he discovers that she, and not Edberg, is theoriginator of the conceptual bombshell, he is reduced, by reasonof his prejudices, to a state of incomprehension. Thus in his newlife, he is presented with an impossible emotional load. Helightens this burden by publicly declaring at the end of theconference that now he regards analytic methods as the only wayforward. In the subsequent Winberg - Thompson researchcollaboration, Thomas is the linguist of which Kristina has needif she is to show her theory in action. As it happens, he lacksthe qualities that are necessary for the advancement ofrevolutionary ideas, and herein is the reason why the projectfails. Moreover, paternal tyranny and gender prejudices driveKristina into the wilderness. Second rate (male) researchersachieve fame and fortune by stealing her intellectual propertywhile she experiences rejection and premature death.