Rare Tongues

'The most delightful parts of Rare Tongues are the most eccentric... extremely interesting.' - The Scotsman

'Any book such as this ... is to be welcomed with sobbing gratitude.' - The Spectator

'Thought-provoking' - Kirkus

'A fresh and personal perspective' - K. David Harrison

An enthralling tour around the rarest languages in the world.

From the whistling languages of La Gomera in the Canary Islands and the Hmong people in East and Southeast Asia, to the wars and clashes in Sri Lanka and the conservation efforts in Hawaii and New Zealand, Rare Tongues draws attention to how language and culture are becoming increasingly homogenous, and what we risk losing as a result.

In Rare Tongues, linguist and writer Lorna Gibb explores the history of these languages, the cultures they belong to and the tales they tell. The languages, and the efforts being made to preserve them, offer us a glimpse into what we can learn from each of them, and what they teach us about our planet, about medicine, about indigenous culture and tradition, even the history of all mankind.

At once entertaining and informative, Lorna Gibb makes a compelling case for the preservation of the rich linguistic diversity of our world, and expertly shows why it matters for us all.