Dictionary of Languages: The Definitive Reference to More than 400 Languages - Hardcover

Dalby, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0231115687 ISBN 13: 9780231115681

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Approximately how many languages compose the Bantu language group of central and southern Africa? What is the name of the language spoken in Hawaii by an estimated two thousand people? What Western European language is not known to be related to any other language family in the world―and is considered by linguists to be one of the most difficult to learn?

These are only a few of the questions language lovers, linguists, and lay readers will be able to answer with the Dictionary of Languages―an easy-to-navigate, authoritative guide to the world's languages and language groups at the end of the twentieth century. Andrew Dalby had the needs and interests of general readers in mind when he compiled this comprehensive reference work―most other language guides are written for scholars, and many include little or none of the absorbing social, cultural, geographic, and historical details that are brought together here.

In the Dictionary of Languages, readers will find:

•a selection of four hundred languages and language groups, arranged alphabetically, with rich, detailed descriptions of the genesis, development, and current status of each;

•more than two hundred maps displaying where the languages are spoken today;

•sidebars showing alphabets, numerals, and other enriching facts

•a comprehensive index listing additional languages, guiding readers to the nearest language groups with full writeups and maps;

•charts breaking down large language groups―such as Bantu or Austroasiatic languages―by geographic region and approximate number of speakers.

In a world where geopolitical boundaries often explain little about the people that live within them, where we may read about Kurd and Khmer in the same newspaper and be expected to be conversant about each―if not conversant in each―Dalby's single, information-packed volume helps us make sense of the rich mosaic of world languages.

About this title

About the Author

Andrew Dalby is Honorary Librarian at the Institute of Linguistics in London. He is the author of many books, most recently, Language in Danger (Columbia, 2003).

From the Back Cover

Covering the political, social and historical background of each language, Dictionary of Languages offers a unique insight into human culture and communication. Every language that has official status is included, as well as all those that have a written literature and 175 'minor' languages with special historical or anthropological interest. Both living and dead languages are covered and we see how, with the rapidly increasing uniformity of our culture as media's influence spreads, more languages have become extinct or are under threat of extinction. The text is highlighted by maps and charts of scripts, while proverbs, anecdotes and quotations reveal the features that make a language unique.

Reviews

Language is both a means of communication and a source of insight into culture. Because languages are linked to political, social, and technological events, they evolve with the changes that occur in society. A basic knowledge of the languages used in an area will enrich understanding of its life and culture. This dictionary, written by a linguist, provides an introduction to the world's languages.

The subtitle of the book demonstrates its scope. The alphabetical entries cover all languages with official status as well as those with a written literature and 175 minor languages with significant historical and/or anthropological interest. A preface explains the author's pronunciation scheme. He does not use the International Phonetic Alphabet, but he does use pinyin transliterations for Chinese. An introduction offers a basic overview of linguistics and the study of languages.

The entries themselves are from two to four pages long. Each one discusses a specific language (Diola, Chinese, Zapotec) or language family (Afroasiatic languages, Indo-Aryan languages, Niger-Congo languages). Entries for individual languages include the language name, estimated number of speakers, the country or countries in which it is spoken, an essay on the origin of the language, its characteristics and cultural links, a map, a list of dialects and related languages, and an example of the script and/or alphabet. Some entries also have quotations of proverbs or poetry. The entries for historical languages that are no longer spoken (Gothic, Old Slavonic, Sumerian) are briefer and do not have maps.

The extensive range of languages covered makes this an extremely useful source. The alphabetical arrangement is, for the most part, a good feature, but some languages are hard to find. There is no entry for Farsi within the text or the index. The article Persian, Dari, and Tajik explains that Farsi is the name of the Persian language, but the lack of cross-references may be frustrating for users. The use of variant spelling (e.g., Panjabi for Punjabi, Pashto for Pushtu) with no cross-referencing in the text and very few cross-references in the index may be confusing. Perseverance will bring success.

The Atlas of Languages (Facts On File, 1996) covers similar material but discusses only 200 languages. It has color illustrations and maps, but Dictionary of Languages has more-detailed articles on a greater number of languages as well as a glossary of linguistic terms. The two works complement each other. With coverage of languages from Abkhaz to Zulu, explanations of Egyptian hieroglyphics and Sumerian script, and a discussion of Chinese dialects and characters, Dictionary of Languages is a welcome addition to public and academic library collections.

This encyclopedic dictionary offers an overview of over 400 alphabetically arranged living and extinct languages and language families. Introductory material provides background information on why languages grow apart and converge, some basic methodologies of historical linguistics, views on learning other languages, and frequently asked questions/answers about language. As in his Guide to World Language Dictionaries (LJ 3/15/99), Darby clearly describes and explains the book's many reference features, which include a glossary of 100 linguistic terms. He also explains positions taken on linguistic disagreements and considers each language's history, relationships to other languages, and estimated current speakers. To illustrate where a language is presently spoken and its proximity to related languages, 200 maps are included, along with examples of script, numerals, and alphabets. Cross references point to additional coverage, e.g., from "Latvian" and "Lithuanian" to "Baltic Languages." An extensive index gives access by languages and dialects referred to in the text or by major languages spoken within a country. Less technical than the International Encyclopedia of Linguistics (LJ 4/1/92), this highly practical work intended for the nonspecialist is an excellent source for browsing or reference.AStanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, IN
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0231115687
• ISBN 13: 9780231115681
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 800