Book: Language death

[Scott McGinnis]

Language Death

David Crystal

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 interested in the issues of cultural
identity in an increasingly globalized culture.  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.  By some counts, only 600 of the 6,000 or
so languages in the world are "safe" from the threat of extinction.
By some reckonings, the world will, by the end of the twenty-first
century, be dominated by a small number of major languages. Language
Death provides a stimulating and accessible account of this crisis,
brimming with salutary and thought-provoking facts and figures about a
phenomenon which--like the large-scale destruction of the
environment--is both peculiarly modern and increasingly global.  The
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.

David Crystal has written extensively on language.  An internationally
renowned writer, journal editor, lecturer, and broadcaster on language
matters, and formerly Professor of Linguistics at the University of
Reading, David Crystal lives with his family in Wales.

Contents:

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

2000/208 pp.
65321-5/Hb/List: $19.95 Disc.: $15.96


http://www.cambridge.org