| Languages that are on the brink of extinction have become an international topic of conversation. The study of languages on the brink of extinction is an important subject in the study of linguistics, and it is becoming increasingly the focus of attention in society. This thesis uses the "XianRen TuJia" language as its case of research to discuss the characteristics and the pattern of language on the brink of extinction.The whole thesis is divided into the following parts: 1. Introduction. It includes the reasons for choice of the topic for this thesis, main contents and research methods. 2. "TuJia" minority and the language. Briefly introducing "Tujia" minority, the use of the language and a description of the phonology of the "XianRen TuJia" language. 3. Analysis of the usage frequency of "XianRen TuJia" language. Firstly, dividing the language usage situation into 3 different kinds: retaining "TuJia" language, retaining part of the language and surviving the language. Besides, there is also a comparison analysis with the different characteristics. Following that, there is an analysis of the depicting usage of the "TuJia" language: a decrease in the number of people using the language, a decrease in the scope of usage, a decrease in the frequency of usage, the failure of passing the language on to the next generation, comparing the ability to speak the mother tongue to the age group, a decline in the conditions of the language, etc. Besides, there is also a discussion on the reasons for the decline in the usage of "TuJia" language, pointing out that the decline is due to historical, geographical, economical and cultural reasons, which has social factors and psychological factors involved. 4. Analyzing the decline of the condition of "TuJia" language. Carrying out a systematic analysis on the interior composite of a language which are phonology, vocabulary and grammatical. 5. An understanding of the decline in the function of "TuJia" language and the prediction of its development. 6. Conclusion. A conclusion of the research on the brink of extinction of the "TuJia" language.This thesis believes that: 1. "TuJia" language is a language on the brink of extinction, and this is seen when the energy of the language is gradually declining, towards extinction. This decline is not just seen in the usage of the language, but also in the condition of the language as it is greatly influenced by the replacing language, Mandarin, and moving towards that direction. 2. The decline in the function of the usage of "TuJia" language is a gradual process. There are remains of the different levels of the declined "TuJia" language in different parts of "XianRen" village, and it reflects that "TuJia" language is on the historical road to being extinct. 3. The extinction of "TuJia" language cannot be avoided and it is in accordance to an objective time line pattern. 4. The research on the "XianRen TuJia" language inspire us that the study of languages on the brink of extinction should start from the condition of the historical society and the condition of the language itself. The study of the condition of the historical society helps to identify the objective factors that cause language to be on the brink of extinction. The study of the condition of thelanguage itself helps to identify the changes in the language. 5. The study of languages on the brink of extinction has important theoretical values. Being on the brink of extinction is a special phase in the development and changing process of a language. Therefore, discussions on the quality, characteristics, intensity and the direction in development of languages on the brink of extinction are helpful in further understanding the pattern of language development and change, process and reasons, and enriching the theories of modem linguistics.The research methods adopted in this thesis: 1. Insisting on the first line field survey. By field survey, I mean to go among grass-root masses and not to be taking an outsider's view, and to obtain second hand information through fa... |
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