A dictionary, despite its heroic efforts to pin down language, is destined for failure the moment a single word is printed; for language, with its eternal mutations, is forever uncontainable. Award-winning essayist Ilyan Stavans explores the human need to isolate meaning: owner of hundreds of dictionaries, he follows a fascinating, zigzagging lexicography across many languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Latin and Cyrillic. A fabulous selection of strange inconstancies, unusual origins and extraordinary anecdotes.

About the Author
Ilan Stavans is Lewis-Sebring Professor of Latino Studies at Amherst College.

Reviews
"Ilan Stavans may very well succeed in becoming the Octavio Paz of our age." - San Francisco Chronicle"



Book Information
ISBN 9781555974190
Author Ilan Stavans
Format Hardback
Page Count 228
Imprint Graywolf Press,U.S.
Publisher Graywolf Press,U.S.
Weight(grams) 316g