carp

hi,
I am reading a book called Night of Serious Drinking by Rene Daumal and came across this sentence:
I have forgotten to mention that the word 'Art' is the only
word which are able to say. But to continue.

Does it mean the same type of fish by carp?

here is the full paragraph:
Totochabo was saying :
" . . . After a few years of practice, the most moronic virtuoso gets
to the point where he can shatter a crystal wineglass from a distance, simply by emitting a note which corresponds exactly to the
unstable equilibrium of the vitreous material. A number of violinists no more stupid than any others have been quoted as managing
it almost naturally. Your hostess is always extremely proud of having sacrificed t o Art-or i t may b e to Science-the best piece o f her
glassware, a family heirloom perhaps and, what is more, she is so delighted that it makes her forget to shout at her son who has just
got home from school dead drunk; the son will persist in his bad ways, will fail his exams, be reduced to going into business, will
become rich and respected, and this entire chain of consequences hangs on a given musical note which may be expressed by a number.
I have forgotten to mention that the word 'Art' is the only word which carp are able to say. But to continue.

thanks

Yes, that is a large part of it. The author clearly means to insult something by comparing it with a fish. It is not entirely clear what they are insulting. However, the verbal sense of 'carp' is an even worse fit.
Your guess is as good as anyone's about what it means. There is no English expression I can pull out of a hat which will solve this for you.
Art and carp sound somewhat similar, but there is no association of the two in expression or legend that I can think of.

Negaran said:

I have forgotten to mention that the word 'Art' is the only
word which are able to say. But to continue.

Is this the first instance of the use of "carp"?

Reina de la Aldea said:

Is this the first instance of the use of "carp"?

yes

Negaran said:

yes

As far as you know, is it the only instance of the word in this book?

Yes, it means the fish.
Since the book was originally written in French, it is, I expect, a reference to the French expression which translates as "mute as a carp". (More about the expression at Muet comme une carpe - French Expressions | French à la folie.)