'A marvellously informative study of the contacts between Latin and other languages in the Roman world, exploring the linguistic diversity of the empire on a scale, and at a depth, that no one has done before ... An extraordinarily impressive book and a masterful collection of material [demonstrating] just how central the study of language is to any proper understanding ... Read moreof the ancient world.' The Times Literary Supplement ' ... J. N. Adams's splendid new book ... it is essential for all who would study the linguistic situation in the Roman world.' London Review of Books '... terrific book ...'. JACT 'For the classical philologist or the linguist specializing in classical languages, who are its real audience, the book will prove invaluable and worth all; the considerable effort it will take to read and digest it. It is bound to become the standard by which any work on the topic of bilingualism in the ancient world can be judged: exhaustive, theoretically current, philologically exacting, and methodologically rigorous - a landmark publication.' Language in Society 'Among the most enjoyable features of his book are the unexpected, sometimes minor and obscure, texts that turn out to provide material for innovative study and important conclusions.' The Linguist J.N. Adams solidifies with this imposing book his reputation as the authority on the Latin language. New England Classical Journal ...[a] splendid new book... The London Review of Books The heart of the book comprises a survey of languages in contact with Latin, a detailed analysis of code switching, and a study of the linguistic features Latin developed in contact with other languages. Adams also considers such topics as Latin in Egypt, bilingualism at Delos, and the recently edited bilinguals from the Gallic-Latin pottery at La Gaufesenque. The book has been beautifully produced by Cambridge University Press and is remarkably error-free. Andrew R. Dyck, Los Angeles A marvelously informative study of the contacts between Latin and other languages in the Roman world, exploring the linguistic diversity of the empire on a scale, and at a depth, that no one has done before ... An extraordinarily impressive book and a masterful collection of material [demonstrating] just how central the study of language is to any proper understanding of the ancient world. The Times Literary Supplement ... J. N. Adams's splendid new book ... is essential for all who would study the linguistic situation in the Roman world. London Review of Books ... terrific book .... JACT ... exhaustive, theoretically current, philologically exacting, and methodologically rigorous - a landmark publication. Language in Society Among the most enjoyable features of his book are the unexpected, sometimes minor and obscure, texts that turn out to provide material for innovative study and important conclusions. The Linguist Show Less