Socioeconomic change and language endangerment

Abstract

Language endangerment is acute in the world. In China Salar (ISO 639-3: SLR) is one of those language that is endangered. There are several different hypotheses for the causes of language endangerment; to better understand why so many languages are declining, I analyze the Salar case in this study. Based on a literature review and fieldwork in 1999-2005 and the summer of 2006, I conclude that the endangerment of Salar language appears to be caused less by prestige and literacy factors, and more by socioeconomic factors. Finally, I give recommendations for Salar revitalization.