Eminent Polyglots: Sir Richard Francis Burton

Links to the biographies mentioned in the video: http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Sir-Richard-Francis-Burton/dp/030681028X/ref=sr...

http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Drives-Life-Richard-Burton/dp/0393301664/ref=sr_1...

http://www.amazon.com/Burton-Biography-Sir-Richard-Francis/dp/0140120688/ref=...

http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Moon-Patrick-Bergin/dp/B0000639EW/ref=sr_1_5?...

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Polyglots
• foreign language
• teach yourself
• Richard Francis Burton

[alkantre]

Another thing we might mention about Burton is that he was highly proficient in Latin, writing many of his footnotes in this language. A typical travel book like his THE CITY OF THE SAINTS (about Mormons) has many quotes and statements in Latin scattered thoughout the main body of the text. So we would say he was a great Latinist, although of course in Victorian times this would not be so unusual. He also advocated a more Mediterranean pronunication, as opposed to what was beign taugt in Oxford

[syzygycc]

@alkantre I never get tired of reading about Burton. One could do an entire series on him and still only scratch the surface.

[heroedelahistoria]

Just for the record, Kamasutra was written in Sanskrit not in Hindi.

Great content on all your videos. Congrats. ;-)

[syzygycc]

@heroedelahistoria Good catch! Thanks for subscribing. I have returned the favor and look forward to watching your videos!

[yuriythebest]

Wow this sounds like indiana jones and steve kaufmann all in one! Speaking of which, when can we see a video about the aforementioned linguist?

Also offtopic: what languages do you speak?

[syzygycc]

@yuriythebest Yuri, I have a large list of polyglots I'd like to profile who may be unknown to viewers as many of them are long dead. Steve and other YouTube polyglots who are alive and well are able to tell their own story will probably not be profiled (but who knows for sure!).

In the past, I've studied Italian and a few of its southern regional dialects, French, and Spanish. I'm currently studying Japanese and Portuguese.

[snapperface]

This was great...as in every video in this series. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for thinking AND doing this series. Looking forward to the next. Yes Sir Burton was indeed very interesting. And yes I might be just a little bit upset with his wife. ;-)

[HitmanHey]

Has anyone ever read the River Wolrd Sagas by Philip Jose Farmer??

A series of sci-fi books where every one that had ever lived is reincarnated on a alien planet. The books main character is Sir Richard Francis Burton... yes the very same!

[TheIxtlan]

I am just starting to read one of his book translation "Arabian Nights.

and when Burton returned to the British Army he sat for examination as an Arab linguist, which he failed.

How accurate is his translation book Arabian Nights by Burton?

[alkantre]

@syzygycc you are quite right. Burton is like an ocean. His own writings can be somewhat difficult to read, but are quite rewarding for a reader with enough dedication.

[alsuvi]

Nice story about lending books!! Also amazing this Richard Francis Burton!! A good example to follow! Great video!!