nline Dictionaries, by Robert Beard, is an index of more than 800
on-line dictionaries in 150 languages, and other tools: multilingual
dictionaries; specialized English dictionaries; thesauri and other vocabulary
aids; language identifiers and guessers; an index of dictionary indices; a Web
of on-line grammars; and a Web of linguistic fun (materials about linguistics
for non-specialists).

Robert Beard answered my questions in his e-mail of September 1, 1998.

ML: "How do you see multilingualism on the Web?"

RB: "There was an initial fear that the Web posed a threat to multilingualism on
the Web, since HTML and other programming languages are based on English and
since there are simply more websites in English than any other language.
However, my websites indicate that multilingualism is very much alive and the
Web may, in fact, serve as a vehicle for preserving many endangered languages. I
now have links to dictionaries in 150 languages and grammars of 65 languages.
Moreover, the new attention paid by browser developers to the different
languages of the world will encourage even more websites in different
languages."

ML: "What did the use of the Internet bring to your professional life?"

RB: "As a language teacher, the Web represents a plethora of new resources
produced by the target culture, new tools for delivering lessons (interactive
Java and Shockwave exercises) and testing, which are available to students any
time they have the time or interest -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is also
an almost limitless publication outlet for my colleagues and I, not to mention
my institution."

ML: "How do you see the future of Internet-related activities as regards
languages?"

RB: "Ultimately all course materials, including lecture notes, exercises, moot
and credit testing, grading, and interactive exercises far more effective in
conveying concepts that we have not even dreamed of yet. The Web will be an
encyclopedia of the world by the world for the world. There will be no
information or knowledge that anyone needs that will not be available. The major
hindrance to international and interpersonal understanding, personal and
institutional enhancement, will be removed. It would take a wilder imagination
than mine to predict the effect of this development on the nature of humankind."

Initiated by the WorldWide Language Institute, NetGlos (The Multilingual
Glossary of Internet Terminology) is currently being compil