Dying Words

by Nicholas Evans
Dying Words cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Language and Linguistics
Technical
  • ID: 3691
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9780631233053
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
  • Published: 2009-05-04
  • Reviews: 3

The next century will see more than half of the world’s 6,000 languages become extinct, and most of these will disappear without being adequately recorded. Written by a leading figure in language documentation, this book delves into the unique philosophy, knowledge, and cultural assumptions embedded in languages, highlighting their impact on our collective intellectual heritage. It questions why such linguistic diversity exists and how we can best respond to the challenge of recording and documenting these fragile oral traditions while they are still with us. Drawing on vivid examples from the author’s field experience, the book brings conceptual issues to life through portraits of individual ‘last speakers’ and anecdotes about linguists and their discoveries. It offers a poignant reminder of what humanity stands to lose as languages vanish, urging action to preserve our linguistic diversity.

Reviews
Amazon · 2025-10-18
Colourful 4.50

A fascinating and colourful view of what we are losing as languages die, by a linguist who understands the significance of our loss more deeply than most.

This book presents a passionate argument for the importance of endangered languages, offering a colourful and insightful perspective on the cultural and intellectual losses that occur when languages disappear. The author's deep understanding of the subject shines through, making this a compelling read for anyone interested in linguistics.

Quick quotes

    A fascinating and colourful view of what we are losing as languages die, by a linguist who understands the significance of our loss more deeply than most.

    The book provides a compelling portrait of the planet's linguistic diversity and illustrates what will be lost if predictions of language extinction prove accurate.

    It's language history from the point of view of the 'little guy.'

Five Books · 2012-07-10
Compelling 4.50

The book gives an idea of how the world seems when you speak a very small language and how language history looks from the perspective of the 'little guy.'

This book offers a unique perspective on language history, focusing on the experiences of those who speak smaller, endangered languages. It provides a vivid understanding of how the world appears from the viewpoint of these languages and highlights the importance of preserving linguistic diversity.

Quick quotes

    It's language history from the point of view of the 'little guy.'

    The book provides a compelling portrait of the planet's linguistic diversity and illustrates what will be lost if predictions of language extinction prove accurate.

    This book offers a fascinating exploration of endangered languages, highlighting the cultural and intellectual richness that is lost when languages disappear.

Goodreads · 2010-07-01
Fascinating 4.50

The book explores the unique philosophy, knowledge, and cultural assumptions of languages and their impact on our collective intellectual heritage.

This book offers a fascinating exploration of endangered languages, highlighting the cultural and intellectual richness that is lost when languages disappear. It provides a compelling portrait of linguistic diversity and the significance of preserving these languages.

Quick quotes

    This book explores the unique philosophy, knowledge, and cultural assumptions of languages, and their impact on our collective intellectual heritage.

    The book provides a compelling portrait of the planet's linguistic diversity and illustrates what will be lost if predictions of language extinction prove accurate.

    It's language history from the point of view of the 'little guy.'

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