The Routledge Handbook of Endangered and Minority Languages (Routledge Handbooks of Language Learning in the Global Context)

The Routledge Handbook of Endangered and Minority Languages addresses the urgent need for comprehensive language documentation and a deeper understanding of language identity, emphasizing the preservation of endangered languages.

This book argues that safeguarding linguistic diversity enriches global cultural heritage and knowledge. By meticulously documenting minority languages, we not only preserve words and grammar but also the unique cultural narratives they carry. The book also introduces new language learning paradigms that recognize the complexities of multilingual societies, advocating for educational systems that embrace the diverse linguistic backgrounds of students. These approaches aim to create more inclusive and effective learning environments by valuing multilingualism. Exploring the fluid nature of language identity, the book examines how sociopolitical contexts and technology influence it, calling for policies that respect linguistic rights and promote social cohesion. It presents case studies from diverse regions, including the Pacific, Nordic countries, Cornwall, Pakistan, the UAE, and more, offering practical strategies for language preservation and revitalization.

Groundbreaking insights into the use of digital tools, social media, and AI in language preservation, along with the challenges and successes of various revitalization efforts, make this book a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and policymakers committed to fostering linguistic diversity and equity worldwide.

Weixiao Wei is the author of three monographs: An Overview of Chinese Translation Studies at the Beginning of the 21st Century (2019), The History of Chinese Rhetoric (2022), and A Notional Analysis of Chinese Academic Discourse on China (2023). She has also served as editor or co-editor for three Routledge volumes: The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Studies (2021), China’s Contemporary Image and Rhetoric Practice (2022), and The Routledge Handbook of Descriptive Rhetorical Studies and World Languages (2023). Her recent projects include two forthcoming handbooks, set for publication in 2025: The Routledge Handbook of Endangered and Minority Languages and The Routledge Handbook of the Sociopolitical Context of Language Learning. Weixiao’s research and teaching focus is on English rhetoric and composition, and she is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Houston.

James Schnell, PhD (Ohio University, 1982), presently works in administration at Ohio State University after spending three years as a cultural advisor in the Defense Critical Languages & Culture Program at the University of Montana, USA. He retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of colonel, with his final 14 years serving as an assistant Air Force attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China. Schnell is a three time Fulbright Scholar to Cambodia, Myanmar, and Kosovo; has completed three visiting fellowships at the East West Center (Honolulu); and has taught at universities in the United States and throughout Southeast Asia.