“When a language dies, it feels like a library burns down, which can never be rebuilt!”
One of the most recent languages to become extinct was Columbia-Moses. This extinction occurred due to the passing of the last speaker of the language. What if the next language to vanish forever is one that holds centuries of scientific knowledge? Across the world, endangered languages are a rising concern, as with each one that disappears, the story of humanity becomes a little less rich.
Several linguistic services have estimated that nearly one language becomes extinct every two weeks, and by the end of the 21st century, more than 50% of the 7000 global languages may disappear.
In this blog, we will understand why a language becomes extinct, how it affects humanity, and how a professional translation company can help save them.
Why Are Some Languages Endangered?
Although the reasons behind language extinction are quite complex, they often come down to these four:
- Globalization: Widely spoken languages like English, Spanish, and Mandarin are preferred to be spoken over the lesser-known ones.
- Colonialism: Several historically suppressed countries lost their linguistic identity.
- Migration and Urbanization: Certain young generations are detached from their linguistic roots.
- Government Policies: Several policies do not promote or teach endangered languages in educational institutes.
What Do We Lose When a Language Dies?
The extinction of a language is more than a linguistic loss; it’s centuries, perhaps millennia, of cultural and scientific knowledge gone—never to return!
Cultural and Historical Identity
Every language spoken has a unique perspective of the world, be it with its rituals, idioms, phrases, or songs. For example, Yiddish, one of the languages of the Jews, gave several culture-driven words like “mazel tov” and “chutzpah.” However, over the passing of time, the language is gradually turning into a dying language with less than one million global speakers.
Traditional Knowledge
Many endangered languages, like Sanskrit, hold traditional wisdom. Ancient religious texts written in Sanskrit contain several modern scientific tips on farming, medicinal plants and herbs, and weather patterns. This knowledge was passed down by generations; however, now, Sanskrit closely inching towards extinction would mean the loss of this invaluable knowledge.
Scientific Insight
The Greenlandic or Kalaallisut language, another endangered language, consists of morphological and complex words. A language like this presents a deeper dive into human cognition and linguistic capability. When these languages become extinct, so do some golden opportunities to explore how the human mind processes complex languages.
Community Connection
Language has a deep connection with the community that speaks it. Language is used to bond, joke, argue, grieve, and celebrate. With the loss of language, a kind of identity rupture happens that can never be healed.
Yes, many languages are endangered, and it is a grave concern; however, in India, some languages are blooming. Want to know which languages these are? Check out this blog: Indian Languages: Top Five Fastest-Growing Languages in 2025!
Can Languages Be Saved?
Yes, they can be—several global organizations, like the Endangered Languages Project and Wikitongues, carry out several awareness campaigns and seminars to gather volunteers to help save dying languages.
Furthermore, several linguists and non-profits are taking steps to document endangered languages. For instance, Somya Translators, a professional translation company, often undertakes projects for endangered languages to preserve their identity.
- Some Hispanic community-led education programs are reviving lesser-known languages like Nahuatl and Ayapaneco.
- New AI tools are being launched to teach endangered languages online. For example, Duolingo, the popular language app, helps its viewers learn diverse languages.
In North America, plans to save over 300 indigenous languages are being unraveled. The idea is to promote and teach the language to the younger generation of Native Americans through grassroots efforts and collaboration with professional linguistic services.
How Can Language Experts Help in Preservation?
Leading linguistic services are increasingly participating in the role of preserving near-extinct languages.
They contribute by:
- Translating cultural documents into various languages to preserve knowledge.
- Offering localization services for lesser-known languages.
- Assisting NGOs and government agencies in boosting language preservation attempts.
One such professional translation company that offers unmatched solutions for several lesser-known languages is Somya Translators. Certified under ISO 17100:2015, we offer top-tier quality and aim to bridge the linguistic and cultural gap for generations to come.
We offer:
- Expert services from native linguists.
- Innovative solutions for 170+ global languages.
- Diverse services like translation, localization, and interpretation.
We strongly believe that every language is a unique window that must not be closed!
Contact us today to get exceptional, result-driven linguistic services.