Atlas of the world's languages in danger of disappearing. 2nd edition

Close to half of the 6,000 languages spoken in the world are doomed or likely to disappear in the foreseeable future. The disappearance of any language is an irreparable loss for the heritage of all humankind. This new edition of the Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger of Disappearing, first published in 1996, is intended to give a graphic picture of the magnitude of the problem in many parts of the world. The reader will find here a comprehensive list of languages in danger and a concise summary of the worldwide language endangerment situation. With this book, UNESCO hopes to raise international awareness about what is becoming a catastrophic phenomenon. Credit is due to the UNESCO/Japan Trust Fund for the Preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for assistance in publishing this edition. This book is the result of the outstanding contribution of Professor Stephen A. Wurm to the study of the problem. His well-known research and tireless combat to safeguard our world linguistic heritage have made it possible to compile this comprehensive work, which should be required reading for both laymen and specialists concerned about the future of culture and society.