Language Extinction

Sophia Smith Galer's 'How to Kill a Language' examines the accelerating loss of linguistic diversity worldwide, blending reportage, history and interviews with speakers and activists. The book traces multiple mechanisms that lead to language decline — from overt bans and colonialism to stigma, shame and neglect — and shows how these forces interact with migration, nation-building and climate change. Galer visits communities across the globe, including diasporas, indigenous populations, and endangered-language speakers, to document both loss and resistance. She also interrogates celebrated revival narratives and highlights the urgent need to record and support endangered languages before they disappear. The work advocates for better-funded mother-tongue and heritage-language education and for preserving languages as repositories of cultural knowledge.