Language Death

A thorough review of the worldwide problem of language endangerment and death.

David Crystal (Author)

9781107431812, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 November 2014

276 pages
20.8 x 13.7 x 2 cm, 0.39 kg

The rapid endangerment and death of many minority languages across the world is a matter of widespread concern, not only among linguists and anthropologists but among all concerned with issues of cultural identity in an increasingly globalized culture. By some counts, only 600 of the 6,000 or so languages in the world are 'safe' from the threat of extinction. A leading commentator and popular writer on language issues, David Crystal asks the fundamental question, 'why is language death so important?', reviews the reasons for the current crisis, and investigates what is being done to reduce its impact. This book contains not only intelligent argument, but moving descriptions of the decline and demise of particular languages, and practical advice for anyone interested in pursuing the subject further.

Preface
1. What is language death?
2. Why should we care?
3. Why does languages die?
4. Where do we begin?
5. What can be done?
List of organisations
Further reading
Index of languages
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Anthropology [JHM], Sociolinguistics [CFB], Linguistics [CF], Language: reference & general [CB]