How many languages do you have the ability to communicate in? How many languages are spoken at your educational institution? How about in your town? In your country? How many languages do you think exist in the entire world?

Collectively, individuals worldwide speak approximately 7,000 languages. Does that surprise you? There used to be a much greater number! Presently, about half of the world’s spoken languages are in danger of disappearing. Experts predict that one language becomes extinct every two weeks.

Where have you encountered the terms “extinct” and “endangered” before? Perhaps you have used them at school. Generally, these words describe plants and animals that are at risk of becoming extinct. However, linguists also employ them to describe dying languages.

How do languages become extinct? They become extinct when people cease to use them. However, most individuals do not simply stop speaking their native language. It is more intricate than that. More often, they either face pressure or are compelled to do so. One example is when people relocate to a different country. They are frequently coerced into speaking the dominant language of the area instead of their own. This ultimately leads many immigrants to discontinue the use of their native language. They may not even pass it on to their children. Gradually, the native language dies out.

In other cases, individuals are forced to abandon their language. For numerous years, the United States, Canada, and Australia enforced Indigenous children to attend residential schools. At these schools, the children were obligated to learn English. Adults punished the children for speaking their native languages. This caused lasting trauma for the children. To this day, Indigenous peoples continue to be affected by this trauma, and many indigenous languages are extinct as a result of these actions.

Sometimes, languages undergo shifts or evolve instead of becoming extinct. Have you ever heard that Latin is a dead language? In a sense, it is. No one today speaks Latin as their first language. Nevertheless, this does not mean it is extinct. Latin is still utilized in various ways. Scientists employ it to name plants and animals. The language also holds significance in religions, particularly Catholicism. In fact, Latin is the official language of Vatican City.

Latin is not extinct. But why is it not commonly spoken anymore? Latin served as the language of the Roman Empire, spreading far and wide. Then, in 476 CE, the Roman Empire collapsed. Instead of becoming extinct, Latin evolved. In a sense, the language is still alive today. It evolved into the Romance languages—Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.

Language is closely intertwined with culture. This means that the death of a language hinders people’s ability to participate in cultural traditions. They may lose access to stories and knowledge that have been passed down for generations. This is one reason why many individuals today are working to preserve dying languages.

How can languages be preserved? Some young individuals learn the language of their ancestors as adults. Linguists travel the world to document the last native speakers of dying languages. Some native speakers even compile dictionaries in their language, hoping that future generations will revive the language. Many educational programs today also strive to help maintain native languages and cultures. One example is the Family and Child Education (FACE) program.

Saving Languages: What You Can Do

Is there any other way to preserve languages? Consider your mother tongue—how can you contribute to its protection? Do you utilize it on a daily basis? Engage in reading and writing activities using it? There are numerous actions that ordinary individuals can take to safeguard languages.

Give It a Try

Are you ready to delve deeper? Seek assistance from an adult who can guide you through these tasks.

• Expand your knowledge of linguistics. What new information have you discovered? What should someone interested in linguistics be aware of? Summarize your findings for a friend or family member.
• Which languages are predominantly used in your community? If you’re unsure, have a conversation with a friend or family member. You can also approach your teacher for information. Compile a list of the languages commonly spoken in your locality. Sit with a friend at a park or any public place. Can you hear any other languages being spoken?
• Embark on learning a new language today! Give Duolingo or another language-learning website a try. Which language will you begin with? What aspects of that language fascinate you? Discuss with a friend or family member before you start.

Recommended Sources

• https://www.sapiens.org/language/endangered-languages/ (accessed 10 Dec. 2019)
• https://survivalinternational.org/articles/3567-indigenouslanguages (accessed 10 Dec. 2019)
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/four-things-happen-when-language-dies-and-one-thing-you-can-do-help-180962188/ (accessed 10 Dec. 2019)
• https://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/endangered-languages (accessed 10 Dec. 2019)
• https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/fact-vs-fiction-is-latin-a-dead-language (accessed 10 Dec. 2019)

FAQ

1. How do languages die?

Languages can die for various reasons. One common reason is when a language is no longer spoken by a significant number of people in a community. This can happen due to political, social, or economic factors. For example, if a community is pressured to adopt a dominant language for official purposes or education, the native language may gradually decline and eventually disappear.

2. What are the consequences of language death?

Language death can have several consequences. Firstly, it leads to the loss of cultural diversity as unique ways of thinking, expressing ideas, and understanding the world are lost. Language is not only a means of communication; it is also deeply connected to a community’s identity and heritage. Additionally, language death can result in the loss of traditional knowledge and practices that are transmitted through language, such as folklore, medicinal practices, or storytelling.

3. Can a language be revived after it has died?

Yes, it is possible to revive a language after it has died, although it can be a challenging and lengthy process. Revival efforts usually involve linguistic research to reconstruct the language’s grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Language revitalization programs also play a crucial role in teaching the language to a new generation of speakers. These programs may include language classes, cultural events, and the creation of materials such as books, dictionaries, and audio recordings.

4. Why is it important to preserve endangered languages?

Preserving endangered languages is important for several reasons. Firstly, languages are repositories of unique knowledge, cultural practices, and traditions. Losing a language means losing a part of humanity’s collective knowledge and heritage. Moreover, linguistic diversity is essential for understanding the full range of human expression and cognition. Each language offers a unique perspective on the world, and by preserving endangered languages, we can foster a more inclusive and diverse global society.