Half the world's languages are threatened with extinction over the next century, as English and the rest of the world's top twenty languages drive all before them. What ways of looking at the world will die along with them, what cultural riches, what experiences, histories and memories? And how does it feel to be one of the last remaining speakers of a language that is on its way to extinction? What chance is there of saving any of these languages? Is it feasible in the long term or even worthwhile?

Mark Abley's journeys among the speakers of languages at the brink takes him to aboriginal Australia (where he meets the last surviving fluent male speaker of Mati Ke, who cannot speak to the only other fluent speaker, as she is his sister and in their culture it is forbidden to speak to siblings once one has reached puberty) and to American Indian reservations, as well as to places where the languages are fighting back - Wales, the Faeroe islands, the Isle of Man - whilst also charting the triumphant return of Hebrew.

Shortlisted for the Pearson Writers' Trust Non-Fiction Prize in 2004. One of the most critically-acclaimed non-fiction titles of 2004, both fascinating and moving, this is award-winning journalist Mark Abley's story of his travels to visit the world's dying and threatened languages and the people who speak them.

About the Author
Mark Abley, a winner of Canada's National Newspaper Award, is the author of nine critically-acclaimed books, ranging from children's fiction to poetry, via journalistic non-fiction. He has written for the TLS, the Toronto Globe and Mail and the Montreal Gazette, amongst other publications. Winning a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2005 inspired his 2008 book The Prodigal Tongue: Dispatches from the Future of English. He lives in Montreal and speaks English, French, and a little Welsh.

Reviews
Riveting... learned, thought-provoking, bouncing with ideas, yet funny and wry... Inspiring * Independent *
A fascinating and addictive book. It is more than that: it is a lucid, often eloquent journey through the crumbling linguistic foundations of humanity * Daily Telegraph *
Unusually penetrating and astute * Spectator *
An essential read * Guardian *
Powerful and important... Compelling' * Sunday Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9780099460220
Author Mark Abley
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Arrow Books Ltd
Publisher Cornerstone
Weight(grams) 235g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 21mm