Why one cannot preserve languages (but can preserve language ecologies)
Date
2002
Authors
Mühlhäusler, P.
Editors
Bradley, D.
Bradley, M.
Bradley, M.
Advisors
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Volume Title
Type:
Book chapter
Citation
Language endangerment and language maintenance, 2002 / Bradley, D., Bradley, M. (ed./s), pp.34-39
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
The topic of this chapter is why one cannot preserve languages. There is much I would like to say and much I have said on this issue but I shall concentrate on one issue which I believe is crucial: Linguists have operated with a concept of language that is ill-suited to the business of reversing the decline of the world's linguistic diversity and indeed may be one of the causes that accelerates it.