British Academy Book Prize Recognizes Preservation of Endangered Languages
This year, a remarkable book that explores the preservation of endangered languages in our contemporary world has been honored with the prestigious British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. This annual award, established by the British Academy in 2013, has awarded American author Ross Perlin a generous prize of £25,000 (€30,100) for his insightful non-fiction work titled Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues.
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Language City meticulously charts the history of migration into New York, revealing how the languages of various cultures have transformed the area, overshadowing the indigenous Lenape speakers. Perlin delves deep into this historical narrative, presenting six compelling case studies of endangered language speakers currently residing in New York. Throughout the book, he highlights the resilience of cultural communities and examines how endangered languages manage to survive, offering insights into their unique grammar and syntax. Furthermore, he emphasizes what we can learn about diverse cultures through the study of these languages.
“New York City boasts over 700 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the history of the world,” noted Professor Charles Tripp FBA, one of the judges. “By examining these languages, Perlin opens up new avenues for understanding the vibrant variety of urban life, aspects of which we might otherwise overlook or take for granted.”
Professor Tripp further commented, “Perlin’s research is not only dynamic and immediate but also reflects what is happening in real-time as we navigate the complexities of everyday life. It was a genuine pleasure for the judges to engage with this work, despite the lingering concern for the subjects of these captivating narratives.”
Professor Julia Black, the President of the British Academy, also commented on the significance of the academy’s book prize in recognizing “exceptional research” and non-fiction works that illuminate fresh perspectives on global culture. “Language City is a beautifully crafted social history, serving as a poignant reminder of the human connections that languages facilitate,” she stated. “Our ongoing work at the Academy has shown that interest in language study is waning, highlighting an urgent need to reverse this trend. This book vividly captures what is at stake if we fail to act now to preserve and enhance language study. A linguistically diverse society benefits everyone, and this book exemplifies that truth.”
Ross Perlin, the author, is a linguist, writer, and translator based in New York City, which he refers to as “Lenapehoking” on his website, in homage to the Lenape people whose ancestral land spans from Connecticut to Delaware. He is also known for his previous work, Intern Nation: How to Earn Nothing and Learn Little in the Brave New Economy, which addresses the issues surrounding unpaid labor and youth economics. Since 2013, Perlin has served as co-director of the non-profit Endangered Language Alliance, where he oversees various research initiatives focused on language documentation, mapping, policy, and public engagement.
Perlin is the 12th recipient of the British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, receiving the top award of £25,000 (€30,100). The other five shortlisted nominees have each been awarded £1,000 (€1,200).
The Six Shortlisted Books
Out of 263 submissions, the remaining five shortlisted titles included:
- Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future by Ed Conway
- Smoke and Ashes: Opium’s Hidden Histories by Amitav Ghosh
- The Secret Lives of Numbers: A Global History of Mathematics & Its Unsung Trailblazers by Kate Kitagawa and Timothy Revell
- The Tame and the Wild: People and Animals After 1492 by Marcy Norton
- Divided: Racism, Medicine and Why We Need to Decolonise Healthcare by Annabel Sowemimo
Last year’s winner was Nandini Das, whose book Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire recounted the historical narrative of Britain and India through the lens of the first English ambassador to India, Sir Thomas Roe, in the early 17th century.
