This document discusses language endangerment and death. It notes that half of the world's approximately 7,000 languages are endangered, with one language dying every two weeks. By the end of this century, 90% of languages may be extinct as only 5% of people speak over 90% of languages. Reasons for endangerment include small populations, lack of transmission to new generations, and social, economic and political factors. The document argues for the importance of linguistic diversity and preserving languages to protect cultural knowledge, identities and histories. Ways to revive endangered languages discussed include political empowerment, human rights efforts, and changing attitudes towards linguistic diversity.
20. There is no such thing as an ugly language. Today I hear every language as if it were the only one, and when I hear of one that is dying, it overwhelms me as though it were the death of the earth Elias Canetti
21. Are these the last speakers of their language?
