‘Tarn palkö enim ab uo tundö’ – Only a handful of people are still able to understand these Livonian words (Viitso: 1990). Reasons why languages such as Livonian are becoming extinct are manifold and the estimated 7000 languages which “are being spoken around the world” (Colls: 2009, p. 1) are expected to rapidly shrink in the upcoming decades. It is obvious that language extinction and language death have reached an exceptional level in recent years and that the forecast for a striking percentage of the world’s dying languages is very high (Hale et al.: 1992). An untold number of languages has already died and the “disappearance of languages continues” (Wurm: 1991, p. 1) constantly. One reason for this loss is the fact that “more and more people switch to one of the dominant languages, especially English, and” (Deterding: 2004, p. 27) in consequence miss out on transmitting their endangered indigenous language to their descendents (Crystal: 2000). The problem of language death has only been discovered in the late 1980's and it is assumed that within this century 50% of the currently spoken languages will become extinct and that another 40% will be endangered so that their extinction is no longer ne avoidable – but only if this trend continues (Krauss: 1992). Although, this estimation might sound very pessimistic it is obvious that a drastic reduction of language diversity is on its way. In these premises, thoughts about how to countervail the reduction of diversity have come up within the last couple of years (Hale et al.: 1992; Bobaljik et al.; 1996; Grenoble and Whaley: 1998) with one possibility being to respond to the dying of languages by extensively documenting endangered languages before they actually become extinct. Considering the extent and the speed in which languages die out the task to document is particularly imperative.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Background: Language Endangerment and Language Death
2.1 Potentially Endangered Languages
2.2 Endangered Languages
2.3 Seriously endangered Languages
2.4 Moribund Languages
2.5 Extinct Languages and Dead Languages
3 Discussion
4 Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This work examines the critical issue of language endangerment, exploring the factors leading to language death and its profound impact on identity and cultural heritage. The research seeks to understand how society can respond to the rapid decline in global linguistic diversity through documentation and revitalization efforts.
- The definition and classification of endangered languages
- Sociological and psychological impacts of language loss
- The relationship between language, identity, and national heritage
- Strategies for language documentation and revitalization
Excerpt from the Book
1 Introduction
‘Tarn palkö enim ab uo tundö’ – Only a handful of people are still able to understand these Livonian words (Viitso: 1990). Reasons why languages such as Livonian are becoming extinct are manifold and the estimated 7000 languages which “are being spoken around the world” (Colls: 2009, p. 1) are expected to rapidly shrink in the upcoming decades. It is obvious that language extinction and language death have reached an exceptional level in recent years and that the forecast for a striking percentage of the world’s dying languages is very high (Hale et al.: 1992). An untold number of languages has already died and the “disappearance of languages continues” (Wurm: 1991, p. 1) constantly. One reason for this loss is the fact that “more and more people switch to one of the dominant languages, especially English, and” (Deterding: 2004, p. 27) in consequence miss out on transmitting their endangered indigenous language to their descendents (Crystal: 2000).
The problem of language death has only been discovered in the late 1980's and it is assumed that within this century 50% of the currently spoken languages will become extinct and that another 40% will be endangered so that their extinction is no longer ne avoidable – but only if this trend continues (Krauss: 1992). Although, this estimation might sound very pessimistic it is obvious that a drastic reduction of language diversity is on its way. In these premises, thoughts about how to countervail the reduction of diversity have come up within the last couple of years (Hale et al.: 1992; Bobaljik et al.; 1996; Grenoble and Whaley: 1998) with one possibility being to respond to the dying of languages by extensively documenting endangered languages before they actually become extinct. Considering the extent and the speed in which languages die out the task to document is particularly imperative.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the scale of global language loss and establishes the urgent necessity for linguistic documentation.
2 Theoretical Background: Language Endangerment and Language Death: Defines the spectrum of language endangerment, from potentially endangered to extinct, and discusses various classification criteria.
3 Discussion: Analyzes the socioeconomic and identity-related consequences of language loss, including the role of language in national identity and communal heritage.
4 Conclusion: Reflects on the inevitability of some language loss while advocating for continued efforts in documentation and public awareness to preserve cultural diversity.
Keywords
Language endangerment, language death, linguistics, language policy, cultural identity, language documentation, revitalization, linguistic diversity, sociolinguistics, national identity, moribund languages, indigenous languages, language transmission, communication, heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work investigates the causes and consequences of global language endangerment and explores the importance of language as a pillar of cultural and individual identity.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
Key themes include the classification of endangered languages, the psychological impact of losing one's native tongue, and the role of language in constructing national identity.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to highlight the severity of language loss and evaluate strategies—such as documentation and revitalization—that can help mitigate the decline of linguistic diversity.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study relies on a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing existing sociolinguistic research, theoretical models of language death, and case studies to provide a balanced discussion.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the theoretical levels of language endangerment, the typologies of language death, and the sociopolitical implications of language shift in modern societies.
How would you characterize this work with keywords?
The paper is characterized by terms like language endangerment, identity, sociolinguistics, cultural heritage, and language policy.
How do 'extinct' and 'dead' languages differ according to the author?
The author notes that while both lack native speakers, a dead language may still be documented, studied, or even reanimated, whereas an extinct language often lacks a living speech community entirely.
What role does the 'proficiency continuum' play in language death?
It describes the transition phase during gradual language death, where different levels of competency exist within a speech community as they shift toward a dominant language.
Why is the loss of a language considered a 'deeply personal loss'?
As highlighted in the discussion, language is seen as a key part of an individual's sense of self and social heritage; losing it often leads to a diminished sense of belonging and intellectual wealth.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Corinna Colette Vellnagel (Author), 2011, Language Endangerment is an Important Issue, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/174794
