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

unputdownable, 20 April 2011

This review is from: Dictionary of Languages (Hardcover)
Fascinating book to browse, with a couple of pages given over to each of 400+ languages. With examples of different scripts, comparisons of related languages printed side by side and numerals, anyone with an interest in the subject can peruse the 700 pages for hours. Dalby includes extinct languages; from the section on Sogdian (extinct language of Uzbekistan) for example, you can compare their numerals with those of some modern languages spoken in the Pamirs and see the strong similarity. It doesnt go into any one area in depth but it gives you basic information to study further if you wish

a wonderful book to dip into for anyone fascinated by language.