Knut

Knut is one of the novel's main characters; there are three chapters narrated from his perspective. He is a graduate student in linguistics studying at Copenhagen University, where he helps young immigrants learn Danish by using video games. He seems to believe this project is somewhat unethical, remarking at one point, "my conscience bothers me so much I sometimes get toothaches, or pains in my back" (10). In Chapter 1, Knut sees Hiruko on a talk show and becomes intrigued by her use of Panska, the homemade language she has created to communicate with people in Scandinavian countries. After they meet, he becomes increasingly infatuated with Hiruko, even developing a romantic interest in her, but his initial curiosity demonstrates how passionate he truly is about language.

Aside from his interest in language, Knut's defining characteristic is his ambivalent relationship with his mother, Inga Nielsen. Knut's mother demands attention from Knut...