Document scanning and conversion helps preserve endangered or “sleeping” languages for posterity.

1. Document Scanning
Helps Preserve
Endangered Languages
Managed Outsource Solutions

2. www.managedoutsource.com 800-670-2809
Document scanning and conversion is the key to preserving valuable
historical artefacts like manuscripts, sculptures, photographs and other materials.
These artefacts should be prevented from deterioration and kept safe for
posterity. At present, many libraries, museums and various other organisations
have started digitizing their documents and artefacts to prevent them from
further damage. Reviving endangered languages through digitization of surviving
records is a major requirement to prevent them from becoming extinct.
How Languages Become Extinct
With the advent of globalization people find it easier to communicate with each
other across the world in English and other popular languages spoken by a large
majority. Children are not being educated in languages spoken by a limited
number of people. As fewer people use local languages, they gradually die out.
Languages become extinct when a community finds itself under pressure to
integrate with a larger or more powerful group. Sometimes people learn foreign
languages in addition to their own. This will gradually lead to loss of ethnic and
cultural identity of ancient languages. Languages like ancient Greek slowly
evolved into modern Greek, and Latin into Italian, Spanish, French, and other
languages. At least 3000 of the world’s 6000- 7000 languages are about to be
lost. Preserving dying languages is important from the point of view of retaining
their cultural and ethnic value for future generations.
Reviving “Sleeping” Languages Using Document Scanning
It is important to revive “sleeping” languages because of the sheer amount of
linguistic diversity that is being lost. Document scanning of notes or manuscripts
of the endangered language can help in creating full a record of it to educate
future generations. Digital collections of linguistic materials enable researchers to
piece dormant languages back together.

3. www.managedoutsource.com 800-670-2809
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the Library of Congress and
Smithsonian’s National Anthropological Archives are scanning and digitizing
Native American languages such as Myaamia that will make them much more
accessible to language researchers and experts with a keen interest of reviving
Native American languages. Near about 130 languages were documented for the
Smithsonian from 1915- 1955. They are also encouraging children to learn their
ancestral language.
This will help explore many different ancient languages and find various
evidences of human understanding over the ages. Therefore document
conversion and scanning of notes of endangered languages is important for
preserving the past.
Advantages of Digitizing Endangered Language Records
 Each endangered language embodies unique local knowledge of the
culture and natural system in the region in which it is spoken. Digitization
of these languages helps in preventing loss of cultural identity.
 Enormous varieties of these dormant languages represent a large
unmapped terrain which linguists, cognitive scientists and philosophers will
find useful. Digitization enables us to know about ancient architecture,
policies, law and so on.
 Scanning and conversion of ancient records helps prevent loss of data and
its decomposition. Thus we can educate the future generation about the
value of these languages and thereby revive them.
 Ancestral language notes that are recorded and stored safely can be
accessed by researchers, scholars, students or common people from
anywhere at any time.

4. www.managedoutsource.com 800-670-2809
Libraries, museums and other organizations that have a collection of notes or any
written documents of endangered languages can digitize them to prevent them
from degenerating and disappearing altogether. Since this is a job that is to be
done with great care and precision, it is best to utilize competent document
scanning and conversion services. They use advanced technology and software
and have trained professionals to handle even the most fragile documents
without causing any kind of damage.