Endangered Languages

Keywords

endangered languages, language shift, language documentation, language revitalization

Abstract

The reduction of the world’s linguistic diversity has accelerated over the last century and correlates to a loss of knowledge, collective and individual identity, and social value. Often a language is pushed out of use before scholars and language communities have a chance to document or preserve this linguistic heritage. Many are concerned for this loss, believing it to be one of the most serious issues facing humanity today. To address the issues concomitant with an endangered language, we must know how to define “endangerment,” how different situations of endangerment can be compared, and how each language fits into the cultural practices of individuals. The discussion about endangered languages focuses on addressing the needs, causes, and consequences of this loss.

Concern over endangered languages is not just an academic catch phrase. It involves real people and communities struggling with real social, political, and economic issues. To understand the causes and consequence of language endangerment for these individuals and communities requires a multifaceted perspective on the place of each language in the lives of their users. The loss of a language affects not only the world’s linguistic diversity but also an individual’s social identity, and a community’s sense of itself and its history.

Original Publication Citation

Rogers, Chris, and Lyle Campbell. "Endangered Languages." Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Linguistics. 03. Oxford University Press. Date of access 12 May. 2023,

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015-12-03

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Language

English

College

Humanities

Department

Linguistics

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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