Description
Vanishing Voices: The Extinction of the World's Languages is a 2000 scholarly look at the disappearance of many of the world's Indigenous languages. The authors identify that at least half of the world's languages may die out in the next century. The authors believe that these endangered languages are vital to the integrity of global biodiversity. They propose that the cultures and habitats of the people whose languages are in peril must be sustained. They do not believe in the preservation of these languages through the development of dictionaries and educational programs. Instead, the authors suggest that bilingualism is the only option. They describe several cultures where the Indigenous language is being revived. These include the Hawaiian, Passamaquoddy, and Karaja languages. Includes sections about Papua New Guinea, Celtic, and Neolithic languages. This thought-provoking introduction to how languages work and how they die is recommended reading for anyone interested in Indigenous languages. Not always stocked; extra delivery time may be necessary.