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Modelling the dynamics of language death

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel M. Abrams

    (Cornell University)

  • Steven H. Strogatz

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

Thousands of the world's languages are vanishing at an alarming rate, with 90% of them being expected to disappear with the current generation1. Here we develop a simple model of language competition that explains historical data on the decline of Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Quechua (the most common surviving indigenous language in the Americas) and other endangered languages. A linguistic parameter that quantifies the threat of language extinction can be derived from the model and may be useful in the design and evaluation of language-preservation programmes.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel M. Abrams & Steven H. Strogatz, 2003. "Modelling the dynamics of language death," Nature, Nature, vol. 424(6951), pages 900-900, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:424:y:2003:i:6951:d:10.1038_424900a
    DOI: 10.1038/424900a
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