language extinction (endangerment)
↓↓↓Ethnologue: Languages of the World ↓↓↓
There are two dimensions to the characterization of endangerment: the number of users who identify with a particular language and the number and nature of the functions for which the language is used. A language may be endangered because there are fewer and fewer people who claim that language as their own and therefore neither use it nor pass it on to their children. It may also, or alternatively, be endangered because it is being used for fewer and fewer daily activities and so loses the characteristically close association of the language with particular social or communicative functions. Since form follows function, languages which are being used for fewer and fewer domains of life also tend to lose structural complexity, which in turn may affect the perceptions of users regarding the suitability of the language for use in a broader set of functions. This can lead to a downward spiral which eventually results in the complete loss of the language.
There are two dimensions to the characterization of endangerment: the number of users who identify with a particular language and the number and nature of the functions for which the language is used. A language may be endangered because there are fewer and fewer people who claim that language as their own and therefore neither use it nor pass it on to their children. It may also, or alternatively, be endangered because it is being used for fewer and fewer daily activities and so loses the characteristically close association of the language with particular social or communicative functions. Since form follows function, languages which are being used for fewer and fewer domains of life also tend to lose structural complexity, which in turn may affect the perceptions of users regarding the suitability of the language for use in a broader set of functions. This can lead to a downward spiral which eventually results in the complete loss of the language.
CONTRIBUTORS to the EXTINCTION of languages
- The speaker population
- The number of those who connect their ethnic identity with the language (whether or not they speak the language)
- Residency and migration patterns of speakers
- Language attitudes within the community (If the language is neglected by the community there is a high chance of that language dying in that community and then the rest of the world)
- Non-linguistic factors such as economic opportunity or the lack thereof
- The use of second languages
↑↑↑↑↑↑Here is an example of a someone who is the last speaker of his language. ↑↑↑↑↑↑
According to the article 'New Estimates on the Rate of Global Language Loss', Today 457 or 9.2% of the living languages have fewer than 10 speakers and are very likely to die out soon, if no revitalization efforts are made. 639 of the languages known to have existed are already extinct – 10% of all languages.
Preventing Language extinction
Ways to prevent the endangerment of a language would have to start with the area, the language dwells in, to accept the importance of the language. The community would need to strive to teach the children, within the community, the language. Increasing the population of people who speak the language would make the language less likely to be endangered any longer. Linguists, a person skilled in foreign languages, are trying to obtain information about languages that may be on the brink of extinction, they will make videotapes, audiotapes, and written records of languages use in both formal and informal settings, along with translations.
Linguists also analyze the vocabulary and rules of the language and write dictionaries and grammars, to maintain the original language. Linguists work with the communities of endangered languages to find any additional information that could help with preserving the language.
Linguists also analyze the vocabulary and rules of the language and write dictionaries and grammars, to maintain the original language. Linguists work with the communities of endangered languages to find any additional information that could help with preserving the language.
A visual representation of "Language" being washed away and no one there to stop it.
Google Translate is a tool that you can use to translate words, phrases, sentences, literature, etc... It translates from one language to another, like an online dictionary.
I choose Language Endangerment/Extinction for my project because I was interested in researching the reasons languages die, the ways to prevent it and the number languages that are already gone and the ones that will be dying in the next 40 years. Languages die when the last person who speaks it dies. Ways to prevent the extinction of a language would be to teach more people the language so their are more people who can keep it alive. The number of languages is projected to drop dramatically over the next century, it's projected to go from 6000 languages to 600.
Language extinction relates to AP Human Geography; there is a language chapter in the book, the extinction of a language is partially due to the migration of people, which AP Human Geography is mainly about.
Language extinction relates to AP Human Geography; there is a language chapter in the book, the extinction of a language is partially due to the migration of people, which AP Human Geography is mainly about.
Citations for Information:
- Hieber, Daniel . "Why Do Languages Die?." . Ludwig von Mises Institute, 4 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 May 2014. <http://mises.org/daily/5846/why-do-languages-die>.
- Paul, Lewis , Gary Simons, and Charles Fennig. "Endangered Languages." . Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Seventeenth edition, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 May 2014. <http://www.ethnologue.com/endangered-languages>.
- "Linguistic Society of America." What Is an Endangered Language?. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014. <http://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/what-endangered-language>.
- Enduring Voices Project, Endangered Languages, Map, Facts, Photos, Videos -- National Geographic (National Geographic)
- New Estimates on the Rate of Global Language Loss - The Rosetta Project (New Estimates on the Rate of Global Language Loss - The Rosetta Project)
- http://altaverba.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/language-extinction-hotspot.jpg
- http://www.lackuna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mmw-disappearing-languages.jpg
- http://techaeris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Google-Translate-Banner1.png
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TxPS56b-Co
- http://linguistlist.org/forms/langs/get-extinct.cfm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O89PkSNTtbg
- http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/#/3/11.667/94.230/0/100000/0/low/mid/high/unknown