Loredana Denis TotolanEnglish B2.3THE EXTINCTION OF LANGUAGES -
OUTLINE
It is estimated that, if action is not taken, over 3.000 of
6.000 languages spoken nowadays will disappear at the end of this
century. This process is not inevitable nor irreversible
Meaning of EXTINCT LANGUAGE
How many languages have already disappeared?
Why do languages endanger and disappear?
Several factors: economic, religious, military, cultural,
educational or migration, among others.
Do new languages arise nowadays? : Light Warlpiri is a mixed
language of Australia, with indigenous Warlpiri, Kriol, and
Standard Australian English as its source languages. First
documented by linguist Carmel O'Shannessy of the University of
Michigan, it is spoken in the Lajamanu community, mostly by people
under the age of 35. As of 2013, there were 350 native speakers of
Light Warlpiri, although all of the speakers also knew traditional
Warlpiri and many speak Kriol and English
Why should we preserve languages?
Loss of a language is a loss of a cultureEvery language reflects
a unique world-view and culture complex (Wurm 1991)
