glottophagy

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French glottophagie, coined by Louis-Jean Calvet. By surface analysis, glotto- +‎ -phagy.

Noun

glottophagy (uncountable)

1. (rare) The absorption or replacement of minor languages or dialects by major ones.
   • 1993, Kenneth Hyltenstam, Åke Viberg, Progression and regression in language, page 28:

     One scientist's language spread is another's glottophagy. There are a number of partly overlapping perspectives, which can be regarded as concerned primarily with progression or regression.