HOW DO LANGUAGES LIVE AND DIE?
WHAT ROLE DOES TRANSLATION PLAY IN HELPING LANGUAGES TO THRIVE?
ARE POLYGLOTS VIEWED WITH SUSPICION, GIVEN THE LINKS BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY?
IS THE MAINTENANCE AND REVIVAL OF FLAGGING LANGUAGES WORTH THE EFFORT?
CAN A LANGUAGE REMAIN 'PURE'?
IF LANGUAGE PATTERNS CONSTANTLY ALTER, WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT IDENTITY?
Multilingualism is everywhere in a globalized society. This book looks at the origins and development of languages, at language contact and competition, and at the emergence and the consequences of multilingualism. Edwards also examines lingua francas, pidgins, creoles and artificial languages as a part of a broader snapshot of the social life of language.
This compelling short introduction is required reading for all entry-level students of multilingualism, and a primer for language lovers in general.
John Edwardsis a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He is the author of many books, and the editor of the
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development.
Prologue \ 1. The Diversity of Languages \ 2. Interpreting Language Diversity \ 3. Multilingual Abilities \ 4. The Emergence and Measurement of Multilingualism \ 5. The Consequences of Babel: Lingua Francas \ 6. The Consequences of Babel: Translation \ 7. Keeping Languages Pure \ 8. Languages and Identities in Transition \ 9. Endangered Languages and the Will to Survive \ 10. Linguistic Intervention and the New Ecology of Language \ Epilogue \ Notes and References \ Index
![Multilingualism: Understanding Linguistic Diversity [Paperback]](/itemImage/2/0/0/3/2_4870605.jpg "Multilingualism: Understanding Linguistic Diversity [Paperback]")