Linguists investigate why some languages become global and others disappear and how language and identity are connected. They also discuss the state and fate of Livonian, Dogon, Mlabri, Changsha Hua, Naqxi, Pitjantjatjara, Pintupi, and Tutunaku.

"Bringing the advances of theoretical linguistics to the study of language change in a systematic way, this innovative textbook demonstrates the mutual relevance of historical linguistics and contemporary linguistics. Numerous case studies throughout the book show both that theoretical linguistics can be used to solve problems where traditional approaches to historical linguistics have failed to produce satisfying results, and that the results of...