SKU: 10479275759

Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages

Sale price$19.12 Regular price$21.25
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 12 - Jul 17

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

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

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 10479275759

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.9 ★★★★★
Based on 1838 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Verified Purchase
Michael Lucas
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 4
Decent Quality, Will Buy Again
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 6 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
I recently picked up the Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels (6 pack) and overall I’m pretty happy with them. The pick-a-size feature is really convenient because you can tear off a smaller sheet for quick spills instead of wasting a full one. For everyday kitchen messes—wiping counters, small spills, or drying hands—they work perfectly well. They’re also reasonably absorbent and the rolls seem to last a decent amount of time, especially when using the smaller sheet sizes. For the price, it feels like a good value compared to some of the more expensive brands. The reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that they’re not quite as thick or strong as the premium paper towels out there. For bigger or really messy cleanups, I sometimes end up using two sheets. Overall though, these are a solid everyday paper towel that get the job done and help reduce waste with the pick-a-size option. I’d definitely buy them again.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Roberta
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Really impressed with the quality and absorption
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 12 Double Rolls (Pack of 1), Package Size Name: Double, Size: 12 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
I’ve been using these Sparkle paper towels for a few days now, mostly in my kitchen, and I’m honestly impressed. The absorption is great, it handles spills like coffee or oil without needing a bunch of sheets. I also love the “tear-a-square” feature because you can use just what you need and avoid waste. They’re pretty strong too, don’t fall apart easily while cleaning, which makes a big difference for tougher messes. So far, totally worth it and I would definitely buy again.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amy Biggs
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Lifesaver for a Single mom With Kids and Constant Messes
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 24 Double Rolls (Pack of 1), Package Size Name: Double, Size: 24 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
What I Expected: I honestly expected these to be just another basic paper towel that looked good in the listing but ran out fast, fell apart, or left a lot of lint the second my kids spilled something. The listing made them seem thick, strong, and a good value for a busy household. What I Got: After using them for a few weeks, I can say they have been a literal lifesaver. Between two kids, muddy shoes, spilled juice in the truck, quick cleanups in the garage, and wiping down the RV before a trip, these have held up way better than I expected. I’ve noticed minimal shrinkage after wet use, and they rarely leave any lint behind, which is a huge plus for cleaning everything from countertops to tools. What I Like: The pick-a-size sheets are great because I do not waste a full sheet for a small mess, and the towels are strong enough that I usually only need one. They are soft enough for everyday kitchen use but still durable when cleaning greasy tools or bigger messes. Quick tip for buyers: keep an extra roll in the truck or RV because they come in handy more than you think. What I Don’t Like: The only downside is that the rolls are large and take up a little more storage space. Final Verdict: Great for families, busy parents, garages, trucks, or RVs. Minimal shrinkage, low lint, and super durable—I will definitely buy these again.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Shopper59
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Sparkle Pick-A-Size
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 24 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
These are not large rolls. I can't say if they are lint free or not. I only use them for spills or to dry my hands. The price is right and they do the job we need. These are satisfactory paper towels for my house. I will buy them again.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2026
R
Verified Purchase
Rose Cottingham
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
This mattress cover is great! Well worth your money
Size: Twin XL, Style: 1 Green
This mattress cover is so comfortable. I am scheduled for back surgery in a week so when I find something I can sleep on and call it comfortable you best believe it is! It fits well, it’s pretty and it’s very fluffy. Seems to be made very well. I am confident that I’ll get a lot of wear out of it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026

recommand products