Johannes Friedrich (1893–1972)

This version of Extinct Languages that I have found was printed before the advent of the International Standard Book Number. Thus I searched for it through the name of the author. However, that is neither here nor there. The book itself was originally in German and was translated to English by Frank Gaynor. The book manages a scholarly approach to its subject. If that would dissuade you from reading it, I can’t really blame you.

I picked up this book because as I was wandering through the stacks and shelves of the library I frequent I realized that I had not chosen many books from the 400s section of the Library. This is pretty understandable though, there aren’t many books in that section at all. I was somewhat disappointed.

In any case, the book itself is fascinating. It addresses the history of the places where the writing originated and how that writing was deciphered if that is applicable. The book contains samples of the writings and a translation of what it says, also breaking down the transliteration of the script. Although there are many ancient scripts that have been translated and understood, there are still some writings that we cannot or have not yet managed to decipher. There are two that I know of off the top of my head.

In any case, the book is separated roughly into chapters. The first section deals with the “Three Great Decipherments in the Study of the Ancient Orient.” This covers the Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Cuneiform Writing of Mesopotamia, and the Hittite Hieroglyphics. The second section deals with “Other Scripts of the Old World.” This includes Etruscan Writings, Phrygian Writings, and so on. The third section contains a general methodology to translate these scripts. Finally, the fourth section contains information on the unsolved scripts that we know of. For example, the script and writings of the Indus Valley Civilization are still unsolved. This is mostly due to the brevity of the signs, and the lack of samples.

All in all, while the book wasn’t particularly entertaining, it was quite informative. It put forth the ideas and successes of translating these ancient, extinct texts and languages in a scholarly and professional manner.… (more)