Overview of Languages at Risk

A language is considered endangered if it faces the possibility of becoming extinct, usually due to a lack of speakers. A distinct worldview, cultural knowledge, and linguistic structure are all permanently lost when a language goes extinct. Maintaining the linguistic diversity and cultural legacy of the world depends on our ability to comprehend and protect endangered languages.

The Language Landscape of the World

·       Today, there are about 7,000 languages spoken worldwide.

·       Approximately 40% of these languages are considered endangered by linguists.

·       Small populations, frequently in isolated or marginalized regions, speak the majority of endangered languages.

·       Approximately one language vanishes every two weeks.

 

Language Endangerment Causes

 

·       Suppression of culture and colonization: Historically, dominant colonial languages have supplanted indigenous languages.

·       Globalization: The rise in the use of commonly spoken languages in commerce, media, and education, such as English, Mandarin, and Spanish.

·       Urbanization: In order to improve socioeconomically, migration to cities causes a shift toward national or international languages.

·       Absence of institutional support: A large number of endangered languages are not officially recognized, taught in schools, or represented in the media.

 Levels of Language Endangerment (UNESCO Scale)

1. Vulnerable: curently spoken by children, but restricted to perticular contexts.
2. Definitely endangered: Children no longer learn it as a mother tongue at home.
3. Severely endangered: told by older generations; parents may understand but not use it.
4. Critically endangered: Only some older speakers remain.
5. Extinct: there is No speakers left alive.

Examples of Endangered Languages

• Ainu (Japan): Indigenous language with a very some fluent speakers left.
• Yuchi (USA): told by a small Native American group in Oklahoma.
• Cornish (UK): Revived from extinction and present taught in schools.
• Livonian (Latvia): Nearly extinct but subject to revitalization efforts.
• Ayapaneco (Mexico): that Only a handful of elderly speakers remain.

The Significance of Endangered Languages for Cultural Identity Language is linked to customs, legacy, and rituals.

1.Rich environmental knowledge can be found in many indigenous languages.

2.Diversity of Thought: The way that people think is influenced by their language.

3.Linguistic Science: Every language adds its own vocabulary and grammar to the study of human thought.

Attempts at Preservation and Revitalization

1.Documentation: capturing native speakers on video, audio, and in writing.

2.Education: Language instruction in classrooms and local communities.

3.Technology: Language-learning games, online dictionaries, and mobile apps.

4.Giving native speakers the tools they need to participate in language revival is known as community involvement.

5.Funding from governments and non-governmental organizations, as well as legal recognition that supports policy.

 

We can honor and preserve the amazing linguistic diversity of our planet by learning about endangered languages, which will help to ensure that these voices are not lost but are instead handed on to future generations.