An essential book on California's Indigenous languages, updated for
the first time in over 25 years.
Before outsiders arrived, about one hundred distinct Indigenous
languages were spoken in California, and many of them are in use today.
Since its original publication in 1994, Flutes of Fire has become one
of the classic books about California's many Native languages. It is
written to be approachable, entertaining, and informative--useful for
people doing language revitalization work in their own communities, for
linguists, and for a general readership interested in California's rich
cultural heritage. With significant updates by the author, this is the
first new edition of Flutes of Fire in over 25 years. New chapters
highlight the exciting efforts of language activists in recent times, as
well as contemporary writing in several of California's Native
languages. Both a practical guide and a joy to read, Flutes of Fire is
an essential book for anyone who cares about the Indigenous languages of
California and their flourishing for many generations to come.