Trafford Publishing pledges $1.6 million for endangered languages

Over 6,500 indigenous languages around the world are severely endangered. With the last remaining native speakers of many dialects dying each year, one publishing company is pledging over $1.6 million to help in the global race to document and teach these languages to youth.

Have them write books, urges Trafford Publishing, an innovative company which revolutionized the publishing industry when it created a process known as 'on-demand publishing' ten years ago. Now over 3,000 independent authors publish their books each year with the company.

Trafford is pledging to underwrite approximately $1,600,000 in publishing costs over the next ten years. The programme will make available primers for school children, dictionaries and local stories — one book will be published in each of 650 endangered languages.

"When a native language dies out, we've lost forever our chance to learn cultural truths," says Trafford CEO Bruce Batchelor. "Philosophy, lifestyle, science, healing — all the nuances are tied up in the grammar, vocabulary and way of speaking. It is a tragedy if a language that encapsulates tens of thousands of years of a group's culture is lost forever. It's like standing by watching the destruction of the ancient library at Alexandria, without trying to put out the fire."

Batchelor hopes the magnitude of Trafford's pledge will bring attention to the situation and encourage donations in equipment from hi-tech manufacturers.

"Some communities really need a few key tools to document their language and then plug into the best revival practices. An iBook, iPod, microphone, digital camera, solar battery charger, a week's on-site technical training — those would be part of the most basic linguistic rescue kit," says Batchelor, listing the sponsorship possibilities.

Trafford's gift was prompted by a request by Bothas Marinda of Namibia to have a book published in his community's language.

"It is ironic that most of these languages have been almost wiped out because of 'modern' culture," notes Batchelor. "Now we can use innovations in publishing and technology to enable and empower locals to document and then teach their languages."

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Annette M. Humphries
Corporate Publicist
Trafford Publishing
Toll Free: 1-888-232-4444
Local: 250-383-6864
Cell: 250-813-0040
Fax: 250-412-0198
www.trafford.com