How Dead Languages Work, Coulter H. George (Oxford University Press, 2020). “[T]he most that a translation can hope to do is to stimulate an interest.” – S. Eugene Scalia, 1937 Anyone who has studied a foreign language for more than about five minutes is familiar with the way languages
Going back to the start to read all your reviews; this substack is amazing. I dunno if you'll see these old comments, but I figured I'd ask: Would this be worthwhile for someone (like me) who doesn't study other languages? The stuff on the Bible and the challenge of converting Thucydides does sound neat but is maybe above my level of knowledge.
Delightful review. I'm currently a third of the way through Owen Barfield's History in English Words which is something like a guided tour of the archeological layers in the town you live in.
In response to footnote 2, I've read good things about God's Secretaries by Adam Nicolson.
Going back to the start to read all your reviews; this substack is amazing. I dunno if you'll see these old comments, but I figured I'd ask: Would this be worthwhile for someone (like me) who doesn't study other languages? The stuff on the Bible and the challenge of converting Thucydides does sound neat but is maybe above my level of knowledge.
I think so! I got a fair bit out of the chapters on languages I know nothing about.
Delightful review. I'm currently a third of the way through Owen Barfield's History in English Words which is something like a guided tour of the archeological layers in the town you live in.
In response to footnote 2, I've read good things about God's Secretaries by Adam Nicolson.
Thank you! I’ll check them both out.