Language Endangerment and Language Revitalization: An Introduction

In almost every part of the world, minority languages are being threatened with extinction. At the same time, dedicated efforts are being made to document endangered languages, to maintain them, and even to revive once-extinct languages. The book presents a comprehensive overview of language endangerment and revitalization. Among the examined aspects are: degrees of endangerment, definitions of language death, causes of endangerment, types of speakers in endangerment situations, and methods of documentation. The book is of interest to a wide readership, including linguists, anthropologists, sociologists, and educators. Key Features: The very successful hardcover now available in an affordable paperback edition. Ideal as an introductory text to the study of endangered languages, one of the fastest growing areas in linguistics. Of relevance to linguists from all fields, from phonology to semantics.