Languages on the Verge of Extinction

Of the more than 6,700 (7000+ according to PBS) languages spoken in the world today, half are at risk of disappearing by the end of this century; according to UNESCO. Every two weeks, the last living speaker of a language dies, taking the language with him; according to Living Tongues. A small and declining number of speakers, as well as speakers who are older, point to an endangered language: When those speakers die, they leave no one to use the language. Linguists then consider this language dead, although if the tongue has been recorded, they may call it a "sleeping" language -- one that could be revived later.

Languages become extinct for several reasons. Sometimes, people will consider one language more prestigious than another, resulting in the demise of the so-called "lesser" language. Most commonly, a language dies out when the people who speak it shift to a more commonly spoken tongue.

Key Facts for Extinction and Limiting the Extinction:

Most of the world's languages are spoken by small groups of people: approximately 85% of the world's languages have fewer than 100,000 speakers.

A language dies (ceases to be spoken) when there are no living native speakers. A language is endangered when only a very few, elderly native speakers remain.

Language is intimately connected to culture and history.

Language documentation consists of recording linguistic and cultural information in the community that speaks the language.

Language revitalization work strengthens endangered languages by fostering positive language attitudes and language teaching.

Why is it important to keep languages alive? They represent culture. For instance, the Gta language of India has a word meaning "to free a person from a tiger," as well as a word that means "to kill lice by pressing them between your fingernails."

Below slide shows endangered languages of the world and Agencies protecting them