Lives of the Great Languages: Arabic and Latin in the Medieval Mediterranean

Karla Mallette's book explores the nature and behaviors of medieval cosmopolitan languages of learning, classical Arabic and medieval Latin, as they crossed the Mediterranean. It tells a complex story about the transmission of knowledge in the period before the emergence of a national language system and speculates on the afterlife of these languages in the twenty-first century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2021
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In her captivating book, Karla Mallette delves into the intricate nature and behaviors of the medieval cosmopolitan languages of learning, classical Arabic and medieval Latin, as they traversed the Mediterranean. Through a series of anecdotes that shed light on the relationships between writers, compilers, translators, commentators, and copyists, Mallette weaves a complex narrative about the transmission of knowledge in the pre-national language system era of the late Middle Ages and early modernity.

Mallette reveals how the elite languages of learning and culture stood in stark contrast to the languages of everyday life, requiring years of dedicated study to master. This transition marked a pivotal moment in an individual's intellectual journey, from childhood to maturity. In a thought-provoking coda to the book, Mallette explores the future of cosmopolitan languages in the twenty-first century, the dangers of monolingualism, and the ethical considerations surrounding language choice.

This insightful work offers valuable insights for anyone interested in reexamining the linguistic and literary traditions, the exchange of ideas, and cultural expression in a rapidly multilingual world. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of language to connect, inspire, and shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226796062