The current state of endangered languages in the world: Difference between revisions
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According to Bromham et al. (2021), "of the approximately 7,000 documented languages, nearly half are considered endangered. [...] The processes of endangerment are ongoing, with rates of loss estimated as equivalent to a language lost every one to three months, and the most pessimistic predictions suggesting that 90% of the world’s languages will be lost within a century. Without intervention, language loss will triple over the next 40 years." | According to Bromham et al. (2021), "of the approximately 7,000 documented languages, nearly half are considered endangered. [...] The processes of endangerment are ongoing, with rates of loss estimated as equivalent to a language lost every one to three months, and the most pessimistic predictions suggesting that 90% of the world’s languages will be lost within a century. Without intervention, language loss will triple over the next 40 years." | ||
Language endangerment is prevalent all over the world. Especially North America, Australia, South America | Language endangerment is prevalent all over the world. Especially North America, Australia, South America, and Papunesia are areas where endangered languages cluster. | ||
Revision as of 12:41, 16 November 2022
The current state of endangered languages in the world
It is challenging to provide accurate numbers on how many languages are endangered -- as with the number of total languages in the world, it is difficult to determine exactly the difference between a language and a dialect. Additionally, the low levels of documentation, especially in certain areas (e.g., New Guinea, South America), makes it challenging to know for certain the exact number of languages that are currently in use. The numbers are thus estimations, but provide an approximate illustration of the current state of endangered languages in the world.
According to Ethnologue (Eberhard, Simons & Fennig 2022), there are currently 3045 endangered languages in the world, out of a total of 7151 languages -- so approximately 42 % of languages are endangered.
According to Bromham et al. (2021), "of the approximately 7,000 documented languages, nearly half are considered endangered. [...] The processes of endangerment are ongoing, with rates of loss estimated as equivalent to a language lost every one to three months, and the most pessimistic predictions suggesting that 90% of the world’s languages will be lost within a century. Without intervention, language loss will triple over the next 40 years."
Language endangerment is prevalent all over the world. Especially North America, Australia, South America, and Papunesia are areas where endangered languages cluster.
The Endangered Languages Project is an online resource for endangered languages.
Causes of language endangerment:
Problems associated with language endangerment:
References
Bromham, L., R. Dinnage, H. Skirgård, A. Ritchie, M. Cardillo, F. Meakins, S. Greenhill, and X. Hua (2021). Global predictors of language endangerment and the future of linguistic diversity. Nature Ecology & Evolution.
Eberhard, David M., Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2022. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-fifth edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com.
