LINA02H3 Lecture Notes - Algic Languages, Religious Conversion, Cultural Assimilation
Document Summary
Gradual: fewer and fewer children learn language until it dies out. Sudden: all speakers of language are killed or die suddenly. Bottom-to-top: when a language only ends up being used in certain contexts: formal or liturgical uses. Imported disease: destruction of habitats, genocide, civil war, exploitation. Cultural factors: cultural assimilation, urbanization, restrictive language policy, advantages to using dominant language. Statistics: 90% of languages spoken today will die in next 100 years, 85% of languages in world have less than 100 000 speakers, 1 language disappears every 2 weeks, 500 in immediate danger. With a decrease in use of language, functionality is diminished. All languages can change through sound change: structural properties can change, vocabulary can be lost while new can be introduced. Endangerment = the complete eradication of the language, not just change. Social/ethical/human rights: people"s way of thinking/community/establishing an identity. Diversity: language diversity is important in intellectual system.
