Lesser known languages of South Asia

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The increasing globalization and centralization threaten the existence of many smaller languages, particularly in South Asia, where dominant languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Nepali are rising alongside English, often at the expense of lesser-known tongues. Despite a history of stable multilingualism, language death is prevalent in the region. The impact of modern information and communication technologies on cultural and linguistic diversity remains uncertain: will they strengthen or weaken it? This volume unites previously disconnected research areas, including traditional South Asian descriptive linguistics, sociolinguistics, documentary linguistics, intellectual and cultural property issues, fieldwork ethics, and language technology. Recent awareness among researchers in documentary linguistics and language technology highlights the potential benefits of their collaboration. Insights from documentary linguistics are also influencing descriptive linguistics and sociolinguistics. The synergy among these fields offers vast potential. Rather than providing a straightforward guide to applying modern technology to address language shift in South Asia, this volume equips readers with foundational knowledge about the challenges and possible directions for solutions, serving as a toolbox for shaping the linguistic future of the region.