Endangered Language Studies
Collection Editors:
Chris Shei and Weixiao Wei
Chris and Weixiao Wei’s Vision for the Collection
Of the approximately 6,700 languages spoken worldwide, 40% are at risk of extinction, with an average of one language disappearing every two weeks. The Endangered Language Studies Collection seeks to engage with communities, teachers, and researchers to deepen our understanding of the global crisis of language endangerment and its broader cultural and social impacts. Language loss, a symptom of broader sociopolitical and economic forces, threatens the collective lived experiences of people whose identities are intertwined with their languages. These endangered languages are not merely means of communication but are the carriers of cultural knowledge, traditions, and deep connections to history and place.
Viewed through the lens of linguistic anthropology, the languages at risk of extinction represent lived spaces, defined not only by geographical boundaries but by the cultural and spiritual landscapes that languages shape. The collection welcomes contributions from scholars, community members, and activists who are committed to exploring the intricate relationship between language, identity, and place, emphasizing the urgency of preserving linguistic diversity in an increasingly globalized world.
As collection editor, I invite manuscripts that employ interdisciplinary approaches to examine the forces driving language decline, from globalization and migration to colonialism and economic pressures as experienced in the context of individual identity and place. Submissions should provide detailed, ethnographic, and evidence-based accounts of language revitalization efforts, highlighting both the successes and challenges communities face in their fight to preserve their linguistic heritage. I aim to foster an inclusive dialogue that bridges academic research with community-driven advocacy, offering a platform for those who are actively engaged in protecting endangered languages and teaching students about the lives of real people
For experienced researchers, I will act as a collaborator and critical reader, ensuring that submissions offer nuanced insights into the mutual construction of language, culture, and identity. For those newer to this field, I will serve as a guide and supporter, working closely to develop manuscripts that contribute meaningfully to this vital discourse. Through this collection, we aim not only to document language loss but to inspire action, advocating for policies and practices that protect the linguistic richness of our world for future generations.
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About the Collection Editors
Chris Shei, originally from Taiwan, pursued his MPhil and PhD degrees in the UK at Cambridge and Edinburgh respectively. Since 2003, Chris has taught and researched in applied linguistics and translation studies at Swansea University, with a particular interest in authoritarian discourse. Chris is highly experienced in overseeing large-scale book projects such as handbooks, encyclopaedias, and thematic book series, Chris is currently an Honorary Associate Professor at Swansea University's School of Culture and Communication. His academic work includes leading programs such as the MA in Chinese-English Translation at Swansea and contributing to various research projects on language education and translation studies.
Weixiao Wei is the author of three monographs: An Overview of Chinese Translation Studies at the Beginning of the 21st Century (2019), The History of Chinese Rhetoric (2022), and A Notional Analysis of Chinese Academic Discourse on China (2023). She has also served as editor or co-editor for three Routledge volumes: The Routledge Handbook of Chinese Studies (2021), China's Contemporary Image and Rhetoric Practice (2022), and The Routledge Handbook of Descriptive Rhetorical Studies and World Languages (2023). Her recent projects include two forthcoming handbooks, set for publication in 2025: The Routledge Handbook of Endangered and Minority Languages and The Routledge Handbook of the Sociopolitical Context of Language Learning. Weixiao’s research and teaching focus on English rhetoric and composition, and she is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Houston.
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