Amazon has recently published a Cornish language children’s e-book after pressure from Diglot Books, one of a number of small publishers fighting to preserve minority languages. There are an estimated 7,000 languages in the world and 40% of them are in danger of dying out – this is why some publishers are supporting the Catalogue of Endangered Languages’ appeal to preserve the world’s linguistic heritage. News of Amazon’s decision has brought delight to linguists and the 500 Cornish speakers of the world!
Around 500 people cited Cornish as their main language in the 2011 census. This was enough to incite Diglot Books to encourage Amazon to publish Matthew and the Wellington Boots as an e-book.

The Catalogue of Endangered Languages

The Catalogue of Endangered Languages is an international collaborative project which aims to preserve languages.

The bold move by Amazon to publish its minority language e-book comes amid a flurry of activity from small publishing houses keen to preserve old languages due to their importance to culture and heritage.

Alaskan publisher Hazy Island Books published a children’s book in the Alaskan Tlingit language, a language with only 400 native speakers.

Independent UK publisher, Francis Boutle aims to help preserve a wide variety of endangered European languages, publishing books in minority languages, such as Manx.

Share your thoughts

Do you think publishing houses have a responsibility to help preserve languages?

Is it a good idea to publish books in minority languages or do you think languages should be left to survive on their own and die out naturally?