Sustaining Linguistic Diversity (Paperback)

Lyn Wright Fogle

ISBN 10: 1589011929 / ISBN 13: 9781589011922

Published by Georgetown University Press, Washington, DC, 2008

About this Item

Paperback. In the last three decades, the field of endangered and minority languages has evolved rapidly, moving from the initial dire warnings of linguists to a swift increase in the number of organizations, funding programs, and community-based efforts dedicated to documentation, maintenance, and revitalization. "Sustaining Linguistic Diversity" brings together cutting-edge theoretical and empirical work from leading researchers and practitioners in the field. Together, these contributions provide a state-of-the-art overview of current work in defining, documenting, and developing the world's smaller languages and language varieties.The book begins by grappling with how we define endangerment - how languages and language varieties are best classified, what the implications of such classifications are, and who should have the final say in making them. The contributors then turn to the documentation and description of endangered languages and focus on best practices, methods and goals in documentation, and on current field reports from around the globe.The latter part of the book analyzes current practices in developing endangered languages and dialects and particular language revitalization efforts and outcomes in specific locations. Concluding with critical calls from leading researchers in the field to consider the human lives at stake, "Sustaining Linguistic Diversity" reminds scholars, researchers, practitioners, and educators that linguistic diversity can only be sustained in a world where diversity in all its forms is valued. Presents an overview of work in defining, documenting, and developing the world's smaller languages and language varieties. This book shows how we define endangerment - how languages and language varieties are best classified, what the implications of such classifications are, and who should have the final say in making them. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781589011922

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sustaining Linguistic Diversity (Paperback)
• Publisher: Georgetown University Press, Washington, DC
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1589011929
• ISBN 13: 9781589011922
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In the last three decades the field of endangered and minority languages has evolved rapidly, moving from the initial dire warnings of linguists to a swift increase in the number of organizations, funding programs, and community-based efforts dedicated to documentation, maintenance, and revitalization. Sustaining Linguistic Diversity brings together cutting-edge theoretical and empirical work from leading researchers and practitioners in the field. Together, these contributions provide a state-of-the-art overview of current work in defining, documenting, and developing the world's smaller languages and language varieties.

The book begins by grappling with how we define endangerment―how languages and language varieties are best classified, what the implications of such classifications are, and who should have the final say in making them. The contributors then turn to the documentation and description of endangered languages and focus on best practices, methods and goals in documentation, and on current field reports from around the globe. The latter part of the book analyzes current practices in developing endangered languages and dialects and particular language revitalization efforts and outcomes in specific locations. Concluding with critical calls from leading researchers in the field to consider the human lives at stake, Sustaining Linguistic Diversity reminds scholars, researchers, practitioners, and educators that linguistic diversity can only be sustained in a world where diversity in all its forms is valued.

About the Author

Kendall A. King is an associate professor in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University. She is author of Language Revitalization Processes and Prospects and coeditor of the Encyclopedia of Language and Education, Volume 10.

Natalie Schilling-Estes is an associate professor in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University. She is coauthor of American English: Dialects and Variation and coeditor of the Handbook of Language Variation and Change.

Lyn Fogle, Jia Jackie Lou, and Barbara Soukup are doctoral students in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University.