Lang Endangerment Document

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course is a graduate class that focuses on a central problem in human culture which is the fast disappearance of the majority of the world’s languages. Undergraduate students are also welcome to enroll in the class. When languages die, the cultures, social structures, and unique windows on the human mind, either die or are expressed in a different language. There is an urgency to document and revitalize the many languages that are getting endangered and on the verge of extinction. Krauss (1992) predicted that half of the world's language would be extinct by the end of the century. Since then, many linguists and anthropologists have been working on fast-tracking the documentation and revitalization efforts of endangered languages. The documentation and revitalization efforts among others provide empirical data for testing linguistic theory. This class will examine the extent of language endangerment across the world, general and specific causes of language endangerment (per region) as well as revitalization and documentary efforts toward language sustenance. Students will also be exposed to the technological tools, methodologies, and equipment that are available for language documentation and revitalization. Some of these technologies and approaches will be demonstrated in the classroom through fieldwork activities. Enrolled students will be required to actively participate in class activities and discussions.