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The vitality and diversity of multilingual repertoires: Commentary on Mufwene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Pierpaolo Di Carlo  and
Jeff Good
Pierpaolo Di Carlo*
Affiliation:
University at Buffalo
Jeff Good*
Affiliation:
University at Buffalo
*
[pierpaolodicarlo@gmail.com], [jcgood@buffalo.edu]
[pierpaolodicarlo@gmail.com], [jcgood@buffalo.edu]
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Abstract

In this commentary, we argue that examining the topic of language endangerment and loss requires close attention to culturally specific local factors that influence patterns of language choice and that shifting the emphasis of investigation from language endangerment to language vitality can yield significant research insights. Drawing largely on lessons from the investigation of patterns of multilingualism in rural Africa, we also suggest that examination of language ideologies and the use of ethnographic methods in language documentation can play an important role in understanding global patterns of language vitality.

Keywords

language endangermentlanguage maintenancelanguage shiftmultilingualismAfricalanguage ideologiespolyglossia

Information

Type
Perspectives
Information
Language , Volume 93 , Issue 4 , December 2017 , pp. e254 - e262
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 Linguistic Society of America

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