Description
Book SynopsisExplores how and why languages become endangered, including a comprehensive new theoretical framework and a wide range of examples from around the world. The book will be welcomed by students and scholars of anthropology, linguistics and related disciplines, and by communities at risk of losing their heritage.
Trade Review'A masterpiece both because of its erudition and its coherent perspective.' David Olson, University of Toronto
'The authors address, among other things, endangerment stages and measures; research methods and ethics; linguistic ideology and attitudes that encourage speakers to maintain, or abandon, their language; factors (demographic, political, economic, etc.) that lead to language endangerment; language policy and planning; and strategies and resources for language reclamation.' L. Lindstrom, Choice
'The innovative approach of this book, its distinct style and structure as well as the wealth of information and illustration, make it an invaluable resource not only for scholars and students of cognitive and social sciences, but also for those members of the larger public interested in the latest advances in the field.' Radu Voica, Anthropos
'Both the formal features and the contents of this volume make it suitable and of potential interest for a diverse target audience, ranging from non-expert readers to researchers that may wish to obtain an up-to-date state of the issue.' Marc Gandarillas, Language in Society
Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Stages of language endangerment; 3. Working in a community; 4. Identity and attitudes; 5. Language knowledge and use; 6. The sociolinguistic setting; 7. Linguistic processes; 8. Policy and planning; 9. Language reclamation; 10. Methodology; 11. Conclusion.
