When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World's Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge

K. David Harrison

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Language: English

Published by Oxford University Press, 2008

0195372069 / 9780195372069

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Seller: The Anthropologists Closet, West Des Moines, IA, U.S.A.The Anthropologists Closet

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Softcover

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Used like new softcover in glossy printed wraps. Pages are clean and free of marks or underlining. 8vo. (6.14 x 0.64 x 9.21 inches) Includes a bibliography, index, photos, maps, and figures. 304 pp. Fast shipping in a secure book box mailer with tracking. It is commonly agreed by linguists and anthropologists that the majority of languages spoken now around the globe will likely disappear within our lifetime. The phenomenon known as language death has started to accelerate as the world has grown smaller. This extinction of languages, and the knowledge therein, has no parallel in human history. K. David Harrison's book is the first to focus on the essential question, what is lost when a language dies? What forms of knowledge are embedded in a language's structure and vocabulary? And how harmful is it to humanity that such knowledge is lost forever? Harrison spans the globe from Siberia, to North America, to the Himalayas and elsewhere, to look at the human knowledge that is slowly being lost as the languages that express it fade from sight. He uses fascinating anecdotes and portraits of some of these languages' last remaining speakers, in order to demonstrate that this knowledge about ourselves and the world is inherently precious and once gone, will be lost forever. This knowledge is not only our cultural heritage (oral histories, poetry, stories, etc.) but very useful knowledge about plants, animals, the seasons, and other aspects of the natural world--not to mention our understanding of the capacities of the human mind. Harrison's book is a testament not only to the pressing issue of language death, but to the remarkable span of human knowledge and ingenuity. It will fascinate linguists, anthropologists, and general readers.…

Seller Inventory # 202062

Title
When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World's Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge
Author
K. David Harrison
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publication year
2008
Condition
Used like new
Binding
Paperback
Language
English
ISBN 10
0195372069
ISBN 13
9780195372069
Seller catalogs
World History

The Anthropologists Closet

West Des Moines, IA, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 14, 2022

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The Anthropologists Closet is a small mother-daughter-owned online bookstore. We offer a wide range of academic non-fiction books, a large collection of art catalogs, signed books, and an extensive history and military collection. We uphold high ethical standards and are dedicated to ensuring that our listings are accurate and that our customers are satisfied. Our books are packaged with care in a secure book box mailer with tracking. We offer full refunds and free return shipping. Satisfaction guaranteed!…

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The Anthropologists Closet

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