摘 要

生态语言学认为语言系统本身也是一个开放的生态系统，需要有其内在的平衡。但是，在当今的世界里，许多语言濒临消亡的危险，语言系统的平衡与多样性遭受了严重的损害。造成语言濒危的原因是多方面的，主要包括经济全球化的发展、现代信息技术的传播、语言同化作用和种族的灭绝等原因。为了拯救濒危语言，维护语言的多样性，可以采取一些合理可行的保护策略，如加强立法、建立保护机构、倡导双语教育和充分利用现代教育技术等。

关键词：生态语言学；语言多样性；濒危语言; 保护策略

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Contents

1.Introduction................................................................................................................1

2.Demonstration............................................................................................................2

2.1 Ecolinguistics..........................................................................................................2

2.1.1 Concept and research field...................................................................................2

2.1.2 Implication for language protection.....................................................................4

2.2 The status quo of language endangerment..............................................................4

2.2.1 Expansion of dominant languages........................................................................4

2.2.2 Extinction of languages........................................................................................6

2.3 Main reasons for language endangerment...............................................................7

2.3.1 Accelerated economic globalization and modern information transmission........7

2.3.2 Assimilation of languages.....................................................................................8

2.3.3 Extinction of the speaking races...........................................................................9

2.4 Countermeasures for language protection..............................................................10

2.4.1 Legislation and establishment of protection agencies.........................................10

2.4.2 Promotion of bilingual education........................................................................11

2.4.3 Utilization of modern technology........................................................................12

3. Conclusion................................................................................................................13

Works Cited..................................................................................................................14

Bibliography.................................................................................................................15

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A Brief Study of Language Endangerment from the Perspective of Ecolinguistics

1. Introduction:

Ecolinguistics brings us a new consciousness that language ecology，just as the natural ecology does，also needs to keep its internal balance. The attitudes of societies and people who use languages decide the quality of the living environment of languages and a good ecological environment is the safeguard of language development and otherwise the obstacle.

However, in current situation, with the rapid development of globalization, a large number of languages used by small populations are facing the threat of being replaced by the dominant languages and some of them, as vital component and distinguishing feature of each culture, are facing extinction. More unexpectedly, languages are disappearing at a far quicker speed than that of species in the nature. Consequently, this aggravating phenomenon of language endangerment has destroyed the inner balance of the language ecosystem. To some extent, it is a severe challenge to language and culture diversity，triggering a worldwide ecological crisis of languages.