NMC Library

The last speakers : the quest to save the world's most endangered languages /

Harrison, K. David.

The last speakers : the quest to save the world's most endangered languages / K. David Harrison. - Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, c2010. - 302 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), col. map ; 24 cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 281-293) and index.

Becoming a linguist -- Siberia calling -- The power of words -- Where the hotspots are -- Finding hidden languages -- Six degrees of language -- How do stories survive? -- Breaking out in song -- When a world is running down -- Saving languages.

Part travelogue and part scientist's notebook, The Last Speakers is the poignant chronicle of author K. David Harrison's expeditions around the world to meet with last speakers of vanishing languages. The speakers' eloquent reflections and candid photographs reveal little-known lifeways as well as revitalization efforts to teach disappearing languages to younger generations. Thought-provoking and engaging, this unique book illuminates the global language-extinction crisis through photos, graphics, interviews, traditional wisdom never before translated into English, and first-person essays that thrillingly convey the adventure of science and exploration. - Publisher.

9781426204616

2010014720

GBB081519 bnb

015595162 Uk


Endangered languages.
Language attrition.
Language maintenance.
Linguistic change.
Linguistic minorities.
Sociolinguistics.

P40.5.E53 / H37 2010

408.9

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