Gorgeous.

Superb.

Panoramic, enthralling.

[Perlin] opens up the world of endangered languages to monolingual mainstream Americans by bringing compelling and driven native speakers of those languages to the table, as well as taking care to provide historical and cultural detail. However, the volume of information in the book, including geographic specifics of both New York and the world, can occasionally feel dense despite an approachable tone and clear explanations of concepts..

This fascinating book for language buffs delves into the past, present, and future of languages in New York City..

[E]xuberant, radical . . . Perlin writes fiercely and finely about genocide, forced migration, forced education, suppression and racism; but these pages also thrum with action and hope..

Language City is a linguistic Baedeker of New York, and particularly its outer boroughs, which have become a roosting place for so many immigrant populations. To the extent that it's about place as well as language, it's a work of ethno-anthropology and psychogeography as well as a study of language . . . Mr. Perlin's story is phrased as a personal one and a mission, and among its moving elements are the case histories of individuals caught in the shift of language and geography..

Perlin is a compelling advocate for fighting to protect rare languages.

Enthralling.

A spirited celebration of a polyglot city.