SKU: 10479275759

Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages

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Description

Babel: Around the World in Twenty LanguagesEnglish is the world language, except that most of the world doesn't speak it only one in five people does. Dorren calculates that to speak fluently with half of the world's 7. 4 billion people in their mother tongues, you would need to know no fewer than twenty languages. He sets out to explore these top twenty world languages, which range from the familiar (French, Spanish) to the surprising (Malay, Javanese, Bengali). Babel whisks the reader on a

English is the world language, except that most of the world doesn't speak it--only one in five people does. Dorren calculates that to speak fluently with half of the world's 7.4 billion people in their mother tongues, you would need to know no fewer than twenty languages. He sets out to explore these top twenty world languages, which range from the familiar (French, Spanish) to the surprising (Malay, Javanese, Bengali). Babel whisks the reader on a delightful journey to every continent of the world, tracing how these world languages rose to greatness while others fell away and showing how speakers today handle the foibles of their mother tongues. Whether showcasing tongue-tying phonetics or elegant but complicated writing scripts, and mind-bending quirks of grammar, Babel vividly illustrates that mother tongues are like nations: each has its own customs and beliefs that seem as self-evident to those born into it as they are surprising to the outside world.

Among many other things, Babel will teach you why modern Turks can't read books that are a mere 75 years old, what it means in practice for Russian and English to be relatives, and how Japanese developed separate "dialects" for men and women. Dorren lets you in on his personal trials and triumphs while studying Vietnamese in Hanoi, debunks ten widespread myths about Chinese characters, and discovers that Swahili became the lingua franca in a part of the world where people routinely speak three or more languages. Witty, fascinating and utterly compelling, Babel will change the way you look at and listen to the world and how it speaks.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
Published: 12/04/2018
ISBN: 9780802128799
Pages: 320
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.70w x 1.50d

Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 07/01/2018 pg. 51
Booklist 10/15/2018 pg. 6
Kirkus Reviews 10/01/2018
Library Journal 10/15/2018 pg. 65
Publishers Weekly 11/12/2018
Shelf Awareness 12/07/2018

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SKU: 10479275759

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Amanda Baker
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
The Unsung Heroes of Casual Dining
Style: 100-Pk, Size: 6-Inch
Ah, paper plates, the unsung heroes of casual dining! Whether it's a mountain of greasy burgers or a messy pile of coleslaw, these humble discs of pressed paper pulp stand firm—well, maybe more like a wobbly dance, teetering on the brink of collapse but never quite giving up. They bend, they buckle, but they rarely break. And let's not forget their efficiency: soaking up liquids and grease might seem like a flaw, but who needs napkins when your plate does double duty? Wallet-friendly and hassle-free, paper plates are the champions of cheap dining. For the cost of a latte, you can arm yourself with a stack of plates ready for any impromptu feast. Cleanup is a breeze—just toss the evidence away. In short, paper plates might not be the fanciest dining ware, but they are the unsung champions of convenience. Here's to you, paper plates! May your legacy of casual dining excellence continue for generations to come.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024
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Ingrid Martinez
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Plates for our anniversary.
Style: 100-Pk, Size: 6-Inch
I needed plates for my anniversary and came across these plates. They were smaller than I expected but they worked out perfectly for us. They are strong and easy to use. They didn't leak or ripped at all. So that's a plus. Great price for the quantity that I received. Definitely recommend them.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026
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Diane Voigt
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
Ok but not great
Style: 100-Pk, Size: 6-Inch
Not the thickness I would have expected for the price but do seem to work ok. Very hard to find good quality dessert plates at an affordable price. Probably won’t buy again.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2025
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awsome
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Would not use these for food; very thin and not sturdy
Style: 100-Pk, Size: 6-Inch
Great for targets on the range
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2026
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Toni
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 3
Handy Size, But Flimsy & Not Leak-Proof
Style: 100-Pk, Size: 6-Inch
I actually use these for my cat’s wet food, and while the size is perfect for that, they do have some downsides. What I liked: Great small size for snacks, desserts, or pet food Convenient and disposable Comes in bulk, which is helpful What could be better: Tends to leak through with wet food Plates are somewhat flimsy They stick together, which makes them a little annoying to separate They work fine for lighter or dry items, but with anything moist, you’ll want to be careful or maybe double them up. For my use, they get the job done, just not perfectly. Who this is great for: Light snacks, desserts, or dry foods Quick, disposable use Pet owners for dry food or short-term use Value: Decent for bulk plates, but the quality limits how versatile they are. Final Verdict: Convenient and the right size, but the flimsiness and leaking are something to keep in mind. Best for lighter use.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026

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