Encyclopedia of the Languages of Europe

This is an authoritative reference guide to all the languages of Europe, covering nearly three hundred languages and language families. It focuses on extant languages but includes all languages known to have been spoken in Europe in the past. Speech varieties whose status as dialects rather than languages is a matter of debate either have separate entries or are considered under other headings, with appropriate cross references. The encyclopedia includes entries on non–European languages now spoken by substantial communities in Europe (such as Punjabi and Chinese in Britain and Arabic in France) and on the major non–Latin alphabets used for the transcription of European languages. The aim of the book is to provide surveys of the origins, historical development and, in the case of living languages, contemporary position of each language. Bibliographical addenda to articles list grammars, dictionaries, and works on historical and sociolinguistic topics. Written by an international team of scholars, many of them among the foremost authorities in their field, the Encyclopedia of the Languages of Europe is of interest to all those involved in the study of language, linguistics or cultural history.

List of Figures. List of Maps. List of Contributors. Preface. Acknowledgements. Phonetic Transcriptions. Conventions and Conventional Symbols. The Languages of Europe.

Glanville Price is Emeritus Professor of French at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. His previous publications include The French Language, Present and Past (1971), The Languages of Britain (1984). He also rewrote and revised Byrne and Churchill′s Comphrehensive French Grammar for its fourth edition, published in 1993.

"This book is useful as first reference to a given language used in Europe. The information provided is accurate, well–organized, up–to–date, and occasionally includes maps. One can only hope that this book will become part of a series on languages of each continent. I would recommend this book for the libraries of high schools, colleges, and universities." Language "An authoritative reference guide to all the languages of Europe." Translation Review "The collection provides both depth and breadth in terms of coverage and range of materials employed. It would be almost impossible to give an impression of all the many fine features which it contains. It is a wonderful book to browse and dip into; the present reviewer was dazzled by its highly readable combination of erudition and approachability at one sitting. It will certainly stand as one of the major linguistic resources...Having read it, it is difficult to see how to do with out it." Linguist List "The contributors to this volume have been selected for their detailed knowledge of the languages in question amd all the entries...display an ability to expound the relevant facts in clear and highly readable prose. I have already learnt a lot and I would think that anyone interested in the fascinating linguistic diversity of Europe would do so as well." MLR "Fascinating reading! I am certainly going to keep the book very close to my desk for easy reference." Language Policy