Book Impression: Lost Languages

Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World’s Undeciphered Scripts by Andrew Robinson (McGraw-Hill)

In LostLanguages, Robinson gives the reader a clearly written study of some deciphered and undeciphered scripts. The book is divided into two parts, the first of which tells of “Three Great Decipherments” – the Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Linear B, and Mayan glyphs. After this he turns to various scripts which are partly or completely undeciphered. These scripts are taken from across the world and includes:

•        The Meroitic Script (Sudan)
•       The Etruscan alphabet
•       The Proto-Elamite Script
•       Rongorongo (Easter Island)
•       The Zapotec and Isthmian Scripts (Mexico)
•        The Indus Script
•       The Pahistos Disc

Lost Languages by Andrew Robinson

Ongoing study of these undeciphered scripts is also covered, showing the remarkable work that goes into this field of study. The book is lavishly illustrated with photos and line drawings and, although it is a hefty volume, is not only suitable for academics. Rather, it is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the subject. I really enjoyed it and can highly recommend the volume.

Robinson, A. (2002). Lost Languages: The Enigma of The World’s Undeciphered Scripts.McGraw-Hill.

Some websites of interest:

Andrew Robinson's website

Ancientscripts.com – “A compendium of world-wide writing systems from prehistory to today”

An Interesting TED talk by Rejesh Rao about the Indus Script

TED talk: Rajesh Rao: A Rosetta Stone for the Indus Script

I found this interesting talk by Rajesh Rao about the Indus Script. This is especially interesting after reading Lost Languages: The Enigma of the World's Undeciphered Scripts. Enjoy! 

My leeslys: ’n oorsig

Ek het die afgelope weke ’n paar boeke klaargemaak (meeste benodig nog ’n resensie). Ek het van meeste gehou en dink ’n paar is uitstekend. Hier is my huidige lys:

"Old Books 3" by T. Fazakas

• God’sPhilosphers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science deur James Hannam
• NoPlace for a Lady deur Anne Harries (Lees dieresensie hier)
• ’nAnder land deur Karel Schoeman (Lees die resensie hier)
• LostLanguages: The Enigma of the World’s Undeciphered Scripts deur Andrew Robinson
• Eat,Pray, Love deur Elizabeth Gilbert

Resensies vir die ander drie boeke sal in die volgende paar weke volg.

Wat ek tans lees

Op die oomblik lees ek When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World’s Languages and theErosion of Human Knowledge deur David Harrison (baie interessant). Daarbenewens wonder ek of ek dadelik met die Kalevala moet begin en of ek eers weer een van my gunsteling Discworld boeke wil lees…

Ander boekgoeters

Ek het op hierdie film van OxfordUniversity Press afgekom waarin gewys word hoe ’n boek vervaardig word. Beslis die kyk werd!

My Reading List: An Update

I’ve recently finished a couple of books (most of which still need reviews). I liked most of them and even loved a few. Here’s what is on my “just read” list:

• God’sPhilosphers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science by James Hannam
• NoPlace for a Lady by Anne Harries (Read my reviewhere)
• ’nAnder land by Karel Schoeman (Read the [Afrikaans]review here)
• LostLanguages: The Enigma of the World’s Undeciphered Scripts by Andrew Robinson
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

 Reviews for the other three books will follow in the next few weeks.

My Current Reads

I’m currently only busy with When Languages Die: The Extinction of theWorld’s Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge by David Harrison (very interesting). Now I’m also pondering whether I should plunge into the Kalevala straight away, or whether I first want to reread one of my favourite Discworld books…

In Bookish News

I came across this silent film from OxfordUniversity Press about the production of a book. Well worth the watch!