In this book, Nicholas Evans explores linguistic systems which are endangered, or are in the process of dying out, and the effect of this on language, history, and the human experience more generally. Evans, head of the Linguistics Department at the Australian National University, is an expert in the field of Australian Aboriginal languages, and uses examples taken from these languages throughout the book. However, this wide-ranging and detailed study is by no means limited to any one particular language group, nor indeed any one take on the subject.
Evans manages to cover quite some ground in his approach to the topic. Whilst this work remains predominantly a book about linguistics, the author uses information and perspectives from anthropology, history, oral tradition, and indeed folklore in this volume. Different sections of the book explore these various topics.
A well-presented volume, Dying Words makes good use of quotes (non-English quotes appear, gratifyingly, in their original language, with good quality transliterations and translations), tables, figures, and photos. Original and unusual insights into illustrative linguistic examples are highlighted in break-out boxes at relevant points.
Evans tackles the story of endangered languages by using a five-part approach, initially analyzing the linguistic diversity of the world, comparing the oft-multilingual situations of South America and Africa, with the comparatively language-bare regions of Europe and (parts of) Asia. Chapter 2 gives us information on the history of linguistic study and the recording of language.
Part 2 is entitled “A Great Feast of Languages,” and provides insight into how different languages view the world, and how human experience differs “inside” different languages. This is one of the main points of the book, and Evans expresses eloquently how all languages contribute to the totality of the human social world, and that it is impossible to fully capture the world in any one language (70). It is fascinating, for me at least, to be reminded that English, for all its positive as well as nefarious pervasiveness, does not give enough detail, linguistic and otherwise, to enable users to fully comprehend the world in totality (71).
Part 3 looks into the history of language, and how language helps to reconstruct history. The author here makes mention of another recurring theme, the importance of interdisciplinary work in gathering as much information as possible about any one linguistic event. Chapter 6 (especially pages 111–113) examines how to link linguistics to other disciplines, to discover more about the past.
Part 4 (subtitled “The Coevolution of Language, Culture, and Thought”) is of particular interest to those involved in folklore and cultural tradition. Chapter 9, “What Verse and Verbal Art Can Weave,” is perhaps the most interesting and relevant for folklorists, dealing as it does with language games, riddles, songs, and epics. The work of Parry and Lord in Montenegro is given an interesting reappraisal, in order to remind us of verbal arts’ reliance on (particular) languages. This section examines such familiar topics as tradition, orality, and literacy, but with new insights and new approaches perhaps not immediately recognizable to those in the folklore community. An interesting insight into traditional song is used, with Evans calling on linguists to record and analyze songs as an inseparable part of language. It would be fascinating for folklorists to (further) explore language as an indelible part of tradition.
Part 5 rounds out the book by establishing the many ways in which languages can be kept alive, whilst making no bones about the huge effect that language shift can and does have on folklore and intangible cultural heritage.
I predict that Dying Words will be an important addition to the fields of linguistics and cultural anthropology. It examines a wide range of topics from different parts of the world, and this is an undeniable strength of the book. But this does not mean that the volume is in any way unwieldy or overly complicated. Evans maintains a style which is thought-provoking without being overbearing. I found the overall experience of reading Dying Words to be an exciting one, where the subject matter, as well as the author’s style, was interesting.
I say all this not without some slight reservation, as the information presented is, by its very nature, quite technical, and can be quite detailed for those without training in linguistics. Indeed, sometimes the connections between things are not totally clear, and certain sections required re-reading in order to be completely clear. Having said that, I surmise that the book will be of interest to those involved in language study, but also to those with a concentration in culture and tradition more generally.
Dying Words examines language and everyday experience. Evans highlights the fact that many of the world’s languages are in immediate danger, but also shows us the power of what they represent, and what they can show us about being human. Indeed, if, as the author posits, cultural traditions exist in, and as part of, language, the loss of these languages will have a huge impact on folklore and intangible cultural heritage. Dying Words, which was recently shortlisted for the Katherine Briggs Award for book of the year by the Folklore Society in London, is an important and fascinating reminder of the importance of relating linguistics to folklore and cultural tradition.
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[Review length: 874 words • Review posted on January 12, 2010]