Language in Danger
Language in Danger by Andrew Dalby, published by Penguin in 2003, is a comprehensive examination of the alarming rate at which languages are disappearing globally. With 328 pages, this book delves into the implications of language loss, highlighting that every two weeks, a language ceases to exist. Dalby investigates the factors contributing to this phenomenon, including political dominance, historical violence, and economic pressures, particularly the rise of English as a dominant global language.
Readers will find a thorough exploration of how the extinction of languages impacts cultural identity and diversity, as well as the unique perspectives and knowledge embedded in linguistic expressions. Dalby articulates the broader consequences of linguistic globalization, arguing that the decline of languages poses significant risks not only to cultural heritage but also to the future of humanity. This edition serves as an insightful resource for those interested in linguistics and sociolinguistics, providing a critical look at the intersection of language and society.
Official synopsis Publisher
Every two weeks a language dies. Of the estimated 5,000 languages spoken worldwide, from Cherokee to Cornish, only half are likely to survive to the end of this century. What does this mean for the human race? Will we eventually become a one-language planet? And does it even matter? Andrew Dalby’s powerful study shows why language loss affects us all. He explores how languages become extinct: through political power, in the case of Latin engulfing the Ancient Mediterranean; through brute force, such as that used against the Native Americans and Australians; and through economics – as the phenomenal rise of English as the language of business and mass communications shows. This linguistic globalisation means a loss not just of cultural identity and diversity, but also of the unique world-view and acquired local knowledge enshrined in the way we speak. The consequences, Dalby argues, will be devastating – not just for language, but for the future of humankind itself.
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