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Endangered Languages
A concise, accessible introduction to language endangerment and why it is one of the most urgent challenges of our times.
58% of the world’s languages—or, approximately 4,000 languages—are endangered. When we break this figure down, we realize that roughly ten percent of languages have fewer than ten language keepers. And, if one language stops being used every three months, this means that in the next 100 years, if we do nothing, 400 more languages will become dormant. In Endangered Languages, Evangelia Adamou, a specialist of endangered languages and a learner of her own community language, Nashta, offers a sobering look at language endangerment and what is truly lost when a language disappears from usage.
Combining recent advances from the Western scientific tradition—from the fields of linguistics, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, language attrition, population genetics, and natural language processing—and insights from Indigenous epistemology, theory, and ethics, Adamou examines a wealth of issues surrounding endangered languages. She discusses where endangered languages are found, including how they are faring in a digital world, why these languages are no longer used, and how communities can reclaim languages and keep them strong. Adamou also explains the impact of language continuity on community and individual health and well-being, the importance of language transmission in cultural transmission, and why language rights are essentially human rights.
Drawing on varied examples from the Wampanoag Nation to Wales, Endangered Languages offers a powerful reminder of the crucial role every language has in the vitality and well-being of individuals, communities, and our world.
58% of the world’s languages—or, approximately 4,000 languages—are endangered. When we break this figure down, we realize that roughly ten percent of languages have fewer than ten language keepers. And, if one language stops being used every three months, this means that in the next 100 years, if we do nothing, 400 more languages will become dormant. In Endangered Languages, Evangelia Adamou, a specialist of endangered languages and a learner of her own community language, Nashta, offers a sobering look at language endangerment and what is truly lost when a language disappears from usage.
Combining recent advances from the Western scientific tradition—from the fields of linguistics, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, language attrition, population genetics, and natural language processing—and insights from Indigenous epistemology, theory, and ethics, Adamou examines a wealth of issues surrounding endangered languages. She discusses where endangered languages are found, including how they are faring in a digital world, why these languages are no longer used, and how communities can reclaim languages and keep them strong. Adamou also explains the impact of language continuity on community and individual health and well-being, the importance of language transmission in cultural transmission, and why language rights are essentially human rights.
Drawing on varied examples from the Wampanoag Nation to Wales, Endangered Languages offers a powerful reminder of the crucial role every language has in the vitality and well-being of individuals, communities, and our world.
264 pages, Paperback
Published August 6, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 23, 2025
Very engaging read on the dangers of allowing, now endangered languages, to slip through the cracks and cease to exist. Language extinction has always intrigued, and saddened me personally. Living in the SouthWest of the USA, surrounded by native communities who have been forced to succumb to the lifestyles of the Europeans not too long ago, and through that, relinquish ties to languages never to be heard again.
My own family in Angola being forced to so the same at the hands of the Portuguese. Thousands of languages, hundreds of tribes, and culture lost.
Adamou brings light to a number of communities around the world that she has personally helped in rediscovering or expanding their once endangered languages. As well as warning us of the countless more that are still in desperate need of resources.
A great read overall, just not quite 5 star worthy. I feel it could have been longer, but it served it’s purpose.
My own family in Angola being forced to so the same at the hands of the Portuguese. Thousands of languages, hundreds of tribes, and culture lost.
Adamou brings light to a number of communities around the world that she has personally helped in rediscovering or expanding their once endangered languages. As well as warning us of the countless more that are still in desperate need of resources.
A great read overall, just not quite 5 star worthy. I feel it could have been longer, but it served it’s purpose.
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July 26, 2024#GoodreadsGiveaway
August 31, 2024
I feel bad not giving this book five stars, because it did exactly what it was meant to do and executed it perfectly. Personally, I would have liked more insights into the construction of specific endangered languages from different language families. However, I understand that wasn't the point of the book.
I am very happy I read it though. It will for sure be something I will refer back to.
I am very happy I read it though. It will for sure be something I will refer back to.
November 26, 2025
Once again I find these MIT Press Essential Knowledge books to be extremely satisfying. I studied Endangered Languages and Linguistics at University so this was a wonderful way to revisit my studies and a topic that I do so enjoy. I even found myself learning some things that I previously didn't know. It was a great quick and informative read.
Final Thoughts
It's a great little book that was highly enjoyable. I would read it again. I will definitely be reading more of the MIT Press Essential Knowledge books
Final Thoughts
It's a great little book that was highly enjoyable. I would read it again. I will definitely be reading more of the MIT Press Essential Knowledge books
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews