STEPHEN.A. WURM: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies Australian National University

After a general discussion of the processes leading to language endangerment and linguistic extinction, the author of this paper describes some specific measures available for promoting ethnic and linguistic survival in the Circumpolar North. Quoting experience from other parts of the world, the author stresses the role of bilingualism as well as biculturalism, which can potentially place small endangered populations in a position intellectually more favourable than that of the dominant monolingual state nationalities.