Acknowledgements

Of course, without the internet, and all its wisdom, which includes much that has ever been written by humans, I would have gotten nowhere. Surely we all stand on the mountain of the accumulated wisdom of humankind.

Thanks to Bernard Rodgers, Emily Fisher Chair of Literature at Simon's Rock, for his pointing out the nation-building role language has had, and his encouragement for me to seek out other experts.

Thanks to Ari Jort, for pointing out that the early Soviet plan of dividing areas based on language has had a positive effect in many Soviet republics after disunion, especially Central Asia.

Thanks to John William Narins, who helped me think more precisely about the role of language and culture.