In a recent publication in the Annual Review of Linguistics, University of Michigan scholars Ashley E. McDermott, Barbra A. Meek (Linguistics faculty member), and Anna Whitney (Linguistics PhD student) explore the pivotal role of children in the revitalization of endangered languages.
Their article, titled "From Endangerment to (Re)Emergence: Child Language, Acquisition, and Reclamation," challenges traditional perspectives on language endangerment by emphasizing the significance of children's language acquisition in diverse contexts. The authors argue that understanding how children learn and use language within their communities is essential for effective language reclamation efforts.
This work underscores the importance of integrating child language acquisition studies into broader language revitalization initiatives, offering valuable insights for linguists, educators, and community leaders dedicated to preserving linguistic diversity.
