CQUniversity
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Language change in language obsolescence

chapter
posted on 2021-11-02, 01:48 authored by Alexandra AikhenvaldAlexandra Aikhenvald
All over the world, linguistic minorities are losing ground to dominant and more prestigious languages. Cultural practices contract, and language use dwindles. As a traditional language is "retreating, contracting, as it gradually falls into disuse" (Dixon 1991:199), the changes it undergoes may be drastic. Language endangerment, attrition and, ultimately, obsolescence and loss are primarily caused by social factors. A major reason is intensive pressure from another group whose language is perceived as offering greater political and economic prestige and advantages.

History

Editor

Janda RD; Joseph BD; Vance BS

Volume

II

Start Page

447

End Page

467

Number of Pages

21

ISBN-13

9781118732212

Publisher

Wiley Blackwell

Place of Publication

Chichester, UK

Open Access

  • No

Cultural Warning

This research output may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now deceased. We apologize for any distress that may occur.

Author Research Institute

  • Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research

Era Eligible

  • Yes

Chapter Number

21

Edition

1st

Number of Chapters

24

Parent Title

The handbook of historical linguistics