Endangered Languages: Books

"Offers a close look at cases of indigenous language revitalization on four continents: Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand, Sami in the Nordic countries, Hnahno in Mexico, and indigenous languages in Latin America. Contributions by experts from each case are in turn discussed in international perspective by four counterpart experts."

"Provides both practical case studies and theoretical directions from all five continents and advances thereby the collective pursuit of 'reversing language shift' for the greater benefit of cultural democracy everywhere."

"The eleven case studies assembled here strive to fill a gap in the study of endangered languages by providing much-needed sociohistorical and ethnographic context and thus connecting specific language phenomena to larger national and international issues."

"A set of detailed accounts about the kind of work that is going on now as people struggle for their linguistic survival. It also serves as a manual of effective practices in language revitalization."

"Presents a proposal for the inclusion of indigenous languages in the classroom. Based on extensive research and field work by the authors in communities in the United States and Mexico, the book explores ways in which the cultural and linguistic resources of indigenous communities can enrich the language and literacy program."

"Batibo examines the connections among the languages of Africa with each other, with specific cultures and ethnicities, and with the concept of their continuance as a source of cultural wealth. He shows how minority languages contribute to the linguistic complexity of Africa, their role in national development, and their abuse as a national resource."

"Details the most recent developments in this rapidly developing field with papers written by linguists primarily based in academic institutions in North America, although many conduct their fieldwork elsewhere. The articles in this volume — position papers and case studies — focus on some of the most critical issues in the field."

"Includes a general overview introduction; four theoretical chapters on what happens during language shift; ten case studies of autochthonous languages under threat; four case studies of migrant languages at risk; three concluding chapters discussing strategies and resources for language maintenance.

"Chronicles [the author's] journeys to 'language hotspots,' (areas with great linguistic variety, much of which is endangered) in Australia, India, Papua New Guinea and Bolivia, in a personal narrative style, weaving methodology and linguistic theory with compelling arguments for the power of language and necessity of preserving its diversity."

"Amazonia, native North America, Siberia, and Sri Lanka are home to some of the languages considered here as part of a massive rush to document endangered languages before they vanish. Each study looks at a particular problem encountered in such efforts, as illustrated by a specific case."

"Provides a comprehensive picture of the theory and practice of Native American lexicography. The contributors discuss the technical, social, and personal challenges involved with the complex task of creating a dictionary of a Native American language."

"This significant collection encompasses the semiotic notion of language ideology. The chapters focus on indigenous languages of North America but include a Mesoamerican tongue. The contributions treat what people think and feel about the heritage languages they speak or do not speak."

"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 first comprehensive survey of the languages of the Pacific rim, a vast region containing the greatest typological and genetic diversity in the world. It includes the littoral regions of North and South America, Australasia, east and south-east Asia, and Japan, as well as the Pacific itself."

"Harrison spans the globe from Siberia, to North America, to the Himalayas and elsewhere, to look at the human knowledge that is slowly being lost as the languages that express it fade from sight. He uses fascinating anecdotes and portraits of some of these languages' last remaining speakers, in order to demonstrate that this knowledge about ourselves and the world is inherently precious and once gone, will be lost forever."