Routledge Encyclopedia of the World's Endangered Languages

The Encyclopedia of the World’s Endangered Languages catalogues and describes the language stocks making up the vast majority of the world's 6,000 or more distinct tongues, which are in danger of disappearing within the next few decades. The concern for the fast-disappearing languages of the world continues to rise, and this second edition provides a thoroughly updated picture of these languages with the most recent available data and insights. Endangerment is a complex issue, and the reasons why so many of the world's smaller, less empowered languages are not being passed on to future generations today are discussed in the introduction. Regional sections, each authored by notable specialists, are combined to provide a comprehensive listing of every language which, by the criteria of endangerment set out in the introduction, is likely to disappear within the next few decades. These languages make up 90 per cent of the world's remaining language stocks. This single resource provides expert analysis of the current language policy situation in every multilingual country and on every continent, detailed descriptions of little-known languages from all over the world, and clear alphabetical entries, region by region, of all the world's languages currently thought to be in danger of extinction. The Encyclopedia of the World’s Endangered Languages will be a necessary addition to all academic linguistics collections and will be a useful resource for a range of readers with an interest in development studies, cultural heritage, and international affairs.