At a time when many of the world's languages are at risk of extinction, the imperative to document, analyse and teach them before time runs out is very great. At this critical time new technologies, such as visual and aural archiving, digitisation of textual resources, electronic mapping and social media, have the potential to play an integral role in language maintenance and revitalisation. Drawing on studies of endangered languages from around the world - Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America - this volume considers how these new resources might best be applied, and the problems that they can bring. It also re-assesses more traditional techniques of documentation in light of new technologies and works towards achieving a practicable synthesis of old and new methodologies. This accessible volume will be of interest to researchers in language endangerment, language typology and linguistic anthropology, and to community members working in native language maintenance.

This book explores how new technologies have the potential to revolutionise the documentation, analysis and revitalisation of endangered languages.

About the Author
Mari C. Jones is Reader in French Linguistics and Language Change at the University of Cambridge and Fellow in Modern and Medieval Languages at Peterhouse, Cambridge. A highly experienced fieldworker, she has published extensively on language obsolescence and revitalisation in relation to Insular and Continental Norman, Welsh and Breton. Her recent publications include Keeping Languages Alive (2013, edited with Sarah Ogilvie).

Reviews
'This volume presents groundbreaking work on the opportunities and challenges of using technology in the study and revitalization of endangered languages and is sure to become a foundational work in this field.' Lenore A. Grenoble, University of Chicago
'In an age of language endangerment crisis and rapid technological developments, this volume sets the tone for future discussions on technologies for endangered languages and can serve as a stepping-stone for future research as technology develops and the field of endangered language studies grows.' Tihomir Rangelov, Language in Society



Book Information
ISBN 9781107049598
Author Mari C. Jones
Format Hardback
Page Count 228
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 460g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 157mm * 15mm