Lark Point System. Point Your Finger. Converse in Ten Languages Instantly.

£650 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

“Foreigners will point to English Phrase or Word Equivalent to their Language.” This large broadside polyglot vocabulary folds down to pocket size, and as such was designed as a handy tool for American servicemen travelling in various theatres of the Second World War. The languages included are: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, Jewish [Yiddish], German, Chinese and Japanese. The English language translations are repeated every third column for ease of tracking back and forth. Each column is topped with a national flag, with the American stars and stripes representing the English language. The Jewish flag predates the official 1948 adoption of the flag of Israel, but echoes its earlier incarnations used amongst Zionist groups. The list of around 650 words and phrases offered focus on the mundane necessities of everyday life including a few basic verbs (I want, I have, I am) and plenty of common nouns (Tobacco, Whiskey, Coffee, Lipstick, Dance Hall). Basic questions include “What is your regiment?” and a section of vocabulary is clearly intended to help a wounded solider express his medical needs (I have a pain here, I need a purgative, Poison). Numbers and military specific words are included, as well as phrases designed to aid social and amorous interactions across cultures (Are you married? You are beautiful, Let us dance, thank you for a pleasant evening). The verso includes further food, clothing, animal and machinery words, as well as other

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