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Around 7000 languages are spoken across the world today and at least half may no longer be spoken by the end of this century. This handbook examines the reasons behind this dramatic loss of linguistic diversity, why it matters, and what can be done to document and support endangered languages.

Have you ever wondered what is really happening to minority languages of Northeast Asia and which efforts are being taken both by \"westerners\" and local people to preserve and promote them? Would you like to discover, uncover, and tackle deep linguistic questions of such small but highly important languages such as Khamnigan Mongol, Wutun, Sartul-Buryat, Tofan and Sakhalin Ainu, just to mention a few? Would you like to know how simple smart phone apps can help communities to preserve, love and use their native language? This book, containing a rich selection of contributions on various aspects of language endangerment, emic and etic approaches at language preservation, and contact-linguistics, is an important contribution to the Unesco's Indigenous Languages Decade, which has right now started (2022-2032).

Salikoko Mufwene raises significant questions about how and why languages become endangered (and die). The purpose of this reply is to provide additional perspective on what goes into answering these questions. Several of Mufwene’s claims are responded to. Questions are raised concerning what the theorizing about language endangerment and loss (LEL) that Mufwene calls for would be like. Many causal factors associated with LEL are mentioned, advances in understanding are pointed out, and the roles of language documentation and language revitalization are clarified.

Language extinction occurs when a language ceases to be spoken (Crystal, 2002; Krauss, 1992; Meek, 2019). This study examines the Totoli language, an endangered language in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, where a sharp decline in active speakers has been observed. Using a sociolinguistic approach, the research conceptualizes language as both a symbol system and a manifestation of cultural identity. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, focusing on patterns of language use across different domains such as family and neighborhood interactions. These findings highlight the diminishing role of Totoli in everyday communication, signaling an urgent need for intervention. This study emphasizes the importance of targeted preservation efforts to protect the Totoli language as one of the regional languages in Indonesia, especially in Sulawesi. It is important to highlight the urgency of implementing preservation and revitalization strategies to ensure the survival of Totoli language. Without such measures, Totoli risks extinction, underscoring broader implications for endangered languages globally.

This series offers a wide forum for work on contact linguistics, using an integrated approach to both diachronic and synchronic manifestations of contact, ranging from social and individual aspects to structural-typological issues. Topics covered by the series include child and adult bilingualism and multilingualism, contact languages, borrowing and contact-induced typological change, code switching in conversation, societal multilingualism, bilingual language processing, and various other topics related to language contact. The series does not have a fixed theoretical orientation, and includes contributions from a variety of approaches.

Up to ninety percent of humanity's traditional languages and cultures are at risk and may disappear this century. While language endangerment has not achieved the publicity surrounding environmental change and biodiversity loss, it is just as serious, disastrously reducing the variety of human knowledge and thought. This book shows why it matters, why and how it happens, and what communities and scholars can do about it. David and Maya Bradley provide a new framework for investigating and documenting linguistic, social and other factors which contribute to languages shifting away from their cultural heritage. Illustrated with practical in-depth case studies and examples from the authors' own work in Asia and elsewhere, the book encourages communities to maintain or reclaim their traditional languages and cultures.

This study is the first to explore language attitudes of the endangered Faifi language in SA. Understanding these attitudes is crucial for future language revitalization efforts. Employing a conceptual framework from LA research, data were collected via an online Arabic questionnaire with a sample of 258 participants. This paper aims to explore the indigenous people’s language attitudes, frequency of language use, and the influence of social backgrounds. Data were analyzed using factor analysis and multiple regression. Three key findings emerged: Firstly, a two-dimensional model encompassing status and dynamism dimensions was identified, offering new insights into LAs. Notably, the trait “educated” was associated with dynamism rather than the typical association with the status dimension, which can be attributed to educational factors related to the Faifi language’s lack of formal instruction in schools. Secondly, the reported use of the Faifi language by its speakers indicated a positive trend. Lastly, age was found to be the only significant sociodemographic variable, with older participants exhibiting more positive attitudes compared to younger participants. In summary, this research contributes fresh perspectives on the dimensions of language attitudes, particularly by highlighting the deviation of the trait “educated” from its customary position within the status dimension. Additionally, the study emphasizes the salience of age as a factor. The paper recommends macro and micro language policies; macro language policy should consider integrating the language into the educational system, while micro language policy should originate from the indigenous community itself, initiating initiatives to further support language use among young speakers. Plain language summary Understanding attitudes towards endangered languages: A case study of the Faifi language This study is the first of its kind to explore what people think about the endangered Faifi language in Saudi Arabia. Previous research focused on how the language is spoken, but not much attention has been given to people’s opinions about it. Understanding these opinions is important for efforts to revive the language in the future. To gather data, an online survey was conducted in Arabic with 258 participants. This research finds out what indigenous people think about the language, how often they use it, and how their social backgrounds influence their views. The data was using some statistical techniques and three main findings were revealed. First, the research reveals that people’s opinions about the language can be described in two ways: how important they think it is and how much they think it can change and adapt. This provides new insights into language attitudes. Surprisingly, being “educated” was associated with how much the language can change, rather than how important it is. This might be because the Faifi language isn’t taught in schools, which affects people’s views. Second, the research finds that people who speak the Faifi language reported using it more often, which is a positive sign. Lastly, age was emerged as the only significant factor that influenced people’s opinions. Older participants had more positive attitudes compared to younger participants. In summary, this research gives us new perspectives on language attitudes, especially by showing how the trait “educated” can be different from what we usually expect. It also emphasizes the importance of age. Based on the findings, I recommend both macro and micro language policies. Macro policies should focus on including the language in schools for indigenous people, while micro policies should come from the community itself, taking actions to support the language, especially among young speakers.