I have a copy of Pei's "Languages for War and Peace". In the front the dedication says "Mihi credenti" which I THINK means "I give myself the credit"> Was he as big a pedant and egotist as he seems to come across in some of his works?
replied to: Arth1948
Replied to: I have a copy of Pei's "Languages for War and Peace"....
I have always wondered that myself. I have the same book and the dedication as "MIHI CREDENTI" seems to speak volumes. Also, if you read that particular book, he can be very dismissive of minor languages saying that speakers of such languages, Welsh, for example can be "reached" by using English. I also noticed that sometimes his footnotes about
grammar items, etc. can be almost longer than any entry concerning a language. Every time I look at that book, I cringe somewhat as I wonder what a conversation over a drink or a meal would have been like. I get the impression that he had to be the centre of attention at all times.
poindexter1948
