Defenders of threatened languages all over the world, from advocates of biodiversity to dedicated defenders of their own cultural authenticity, are often humbled by the dimensity of the task that they are faced with when the weak and the few seek to find a safe-harbour against the ravages of the strong and the many. This book provides both practical case studies and theoretical directions from all five continents and advances thereby the collective pursuit of "reversing language shift" for the greater benefit of cultural democracy everywhere.
From the death of James III to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, the story of the Scotland is told from the perspective of its regions and of individual Scots, as well as incorporating the view from the royal court. This book explains how the country was re-formed as the relationship between church and crown changed, with these two institutions converging, merging and diverging, thereby permanently altering the nature of Scottish governance. Society was also transformed especially by the feuars, new landholders who became the backbone of rural Scotland.
Low back pain is a very common problem that is increasingly being treated surgically. This book aims to evaluate carefully the possible surgical approaches to low back pain, with detailed appraisal of the factors leading to their success or failure. It begins by explaining the scientific basis for surgery and considering the different diagnostic techniques that may be employed, thereby elucidating the surgical rationale, indications, and contraindications. The value of conservative options is also assessed to help the reader weigh the need for surgery.
An Introduction to Riemann Surfaces, Algebraic Curves and Moduli Spaces
This book gives an introduction to modern geometry. Starting from an elementary level the author develops deep geometrical concepts, playing an important role nowadays in contemporary theoretical physics. He presents various techniques and viewpoints, thereby showing the relations between the alternative approaches.