Lost in translation in the City of Babel
A review of The First Word: The Search for the Origins of Language by Christine Kenneally (and more). A review of Ad Infinitum: A Biography of Latin by Nicholas Ostler. The passion of Latin lovers: When Virginia's all-star team of young scholars competes in a national quiz bowl, a dead language is very much alive. Mother tongue: A review of Inventing English: A Portable History of the Language by Seth Lerer. Does it seem as if the English language is becoming more and more common in the everyday lives of Europeans? The English language won’t be done in by the influx of Latin Americans — to see the fallacy of this warning, just take a little look at American history. Lost in translation in the City of Babel: More than 145 languages in Toronto can pose problems in hospitals and courts, which too often rely on unqualified interpreters. From New English Review, a look at why Esperanto is different.
