Book Review: Language City

Half of all 7,000-plus human languages may disappear over the next century and—because many have never been recorded—when they’re gone, it will be forever. Ross Perlin, a linguist and co-director of the Manhattan-based non-profit Endangered Language Alliance, is racing against time to map little-known languages across the most linguistically diverse city in history: contemporary New York. In Language City, Perlin recounts the unique history of immigration that shaped the city, and follows six remarkable yet ordinary speakers of endangered languages deep into their communities to learn how they are maintaining and reviving their languages against overwhelming odds. Perlin also dives deep into their languages, taking us on a fascinating tour of unusual grammars, rare sounds, and powerful cultural histories from all around the world.

Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York will be published February 20, 2024. Grove Atlantic Press provided an early galley for review.

I was attracted to this book due to the New York City connection. It is a city that has always fascinated and called to me. As far as languages go, English is my native, I took a couple years of Spanish back in high school, and I learned a bit of American Sign Language in college.

The first portion of the book is dedicated to the Past. Looking at the evolution and growth of the city through the lens of the languages spoken where and when was an interesting approach. It is not something I ever considered for long during my days of studying American history. But I can very much see how this is an important element in the life of an urban center, and it is something I will keep in mind going forward.

The second portion of the book is dedicated to the Present. The bulk here focuses on a few key languages from the city: Seke, N’ko, Lenape, Nahuatl, Wakhi, and Yiddish. I knew next to nothing about any of these, so this was very much a learning experience for me. Perlin's approach is interesting as he presents these along with people who speak the language, giving more personal, narrative stories for the reader to experience.

The book ends with a chapter about the future, talking about how restrictions on immigration impact the proliferation and growth of linguistic diversity in our country and cities like New York. It really makes one think. I suspect the book will appeal to folks who either want to learn something new or are familiar with one of these six languages and want to get into some of the specifics as they relate to residents and life in New York City.