Language Extinction

Language Demographics There are approximately 6,700 current

spoken languages

Since 1900, 600 have been languages lost

2400 languages are endangered, primarily those spoken by small indigenous groups of people

155 out of 175 are “moribund” in United States

95% of the world population speak 100 languages

45% world population speak Top 5 languages, referred to as “killer” languages

More Demographics

50-90% of current languages are projected to be lost during 21st century leaving only approximately 600 languages

2/3 of world’s children are becoming bilingual

44%+ of world’s online population doesn’t use English

Top 10 World Languages

Chinese 1.070 Billion English .508 Hindustani .497 Spanish .392 Russian .277 Arabic .246 Bengali .211 Portuguese .191 Malay-Indonesian .159 French .129

Possible Causes for Language Extinction

Colonization

Repressive governments

Attrition or assimilation of isolated cultures by modern cultures

Economic and political conflict/alliances

Consumerism through homogenizing corporate and/or artistic western influence

World globalization through new technologies and telecommunications

Human disease

Genocide

Prevention of Language Extinction

Dictionaries for translation Bilingual educational programs

and teacher trainingFree lessons in public and

private sector Recording dying languages Indigenous language

movements

Some Visuals

• K. David Harrison Dying Language Expert• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SohcBBhNHM• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=nmLYo8zQOVs&feature=related• Endangered Languages in Europe• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=UvI5DWJQTnE&NR=1• Navaho Language Schools• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=wE8kiVvkapc&feature=related