In the Land of Invented Languages
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15
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Average rating4
Just about everyone has heard of Esperanto, which was nothing less than one man's attempt to bring about world peace by means of linguistic solidarity. And every Star Trek fan knows about Klingon, which was nothing more than a television show's attempt to create a tough-sounding language befitting a warrior race with ridged foreheads. But few people have heard of Babm, Blissymbolics, and the nearly nine hundred other invented languages that represent the hard work, high hopes, and full-blown delusions of so many misguided souls over the centuries. In In The Land of Invented Languages, author Arika Okrent tells the fascinating and highly entertaining history of man's enduring quest to build a better language. Peopled with charming eccentrics and exasperating megalomaniacs, the land of invented languages is a place where you can recite the Lord's Prayer in John Wilkins's Philosophical Language, say your wedding vows in Loglan, and read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in Lojban. A truly original new addition to the booming category of language books, In The Land of Invented Languages will be a must-have on the shelves of all word freaks, grammar geeks, and plain old language lovers.From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews with the most likes.
Such a fun read, and fascinating as well, which makes this the best kind of good read. Bonus: it talked about other interesting books, which I now want to read.
Fans of linguistics, of communication, and of non-fiction books in general will find a lot to love in Okrent's quirky examination of the secret lives of invented languages.
She has a sense of humour, which in the opinion of this reviewer helps immensely with her discussion of what could have quickly become a dry topic in less capable hands. Her wit does not detract from the erudite and balanced portrayal of the subject and its history, and her ability to describe the invented languages in terms of the strange and wonderful people who created them helps keep the story grounded.
Overall, a worthy book by an author whose love for the subject matter shines through. I'll be keeping my eyes out for more of her work in the future.
