Linguistic Ecology: Language Change and Linguistic Imperialism in the Pacific Region (The Politics of Language)

Mühlhäusler, Peter

ISBN 10: 0415056357 / ISBN 13: 9780415056359

Published by Routledge, 1996

About this Item

Seller Inventory # I-9780415056359

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Linguistic Ecology: Language Change and Linguistic Imperialism in the Pacific Region (The Politics of Language)
• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415056357
• ISBN 13: 9780415056359
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

In this book, the author examines the transformation of the Pacific language region under the impact of colonization, westernization and modernization. By focusing on the linguistic and socio-historical changes of the past 200 years, it aims to bring a new dimension to the study of Pacific linguistics, which up until now has been dominated by questions of historical reconstruction and language typology. In contrast to the traditional portrayal of linguistic change as a natural process, the author focuses on the cultural and historical forces which drive language change. Using the metaphor of language ecology to explain and describe the complex interplay between languages, speakers and social practice, the author looks at how language ecologies have functioned in the past to sustain language diversity, and, at what happens when those ecologies are disrupted. Whilst most of the examples used in the book are taken from the Pacific and Australian region, the insights derived from this area are shown to have global applications. The text should be useful for linguists and all those interested in the large scale loss of human language.

About the Author

Peter Mühlhäusler is Foundation Professor of Linguistics at the University of Adelaide and Supernumerary Fellow of Linacre College, Oxford.