Babel is the world's center of translation and, more importantly, of silver-working: the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation through enchanted silver bars, to magical effect. Silver-working has made the British Empire unparalleled in power, and Babel's research in foreign languages serves the Empire's quest to colonize everything it encounters.
@Mort Sounds compelling, I'm going to have to check that out, thanks for the recommendation!
@Mort I loved this book. Such a fascinating alt-history.