Dying, Dead and Extinct Languages

Linguistic Imperialism


We’ve seen fairly recent examples of this in Eastern Europe with the “breakup” of the former Soviet Union. Now splintered ethnic, cultural or linguistic groups are returning to the use of their individual lingua franca where once they were “forced” to use Russian as the language of communication, education and commerce. The same held true for the attempted take-over of the English-speaking Falkland Islands by Argentina which would have completely changed the language from English to Spanish by “official decree” – or force. This is a classic definition example of Linguistic Imperialism.

Globalizational or Regionalization


As the impact of one country’s economy and commerce expands to influence that of other countries in the same region, continent or linguistic family, globalization or regionalization extends its grip to assuage countries into the use of a lingua franca other than the official language(s) of the country. Initially isolated by racial, ethnic and geographic restrictions, both Geechee or Gullah language originally spoken by former black slaves on the Eastern U.S., principally Atlantic coast (North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, ref.)

Isolation

When a language exists in an isolated geographic, ethnic or cultural setting – then that setting fades into non-existence, the language may die or become extinct. At this point we need to clarify the difference between a dead language and an extinct language. According to Wikipedia, a Dead Language is one which no one speaks or uses as a first language and is often replaced by another language. Latin, for example, was replaced by Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese; or the Coptic language which was replaced by Arabic. Old English is also in this category since it is no longer spoken, although numerous detailed examples of it (i.e., literature) still widely exist. An Extinct language on the other hand is one which no longer has any speakers at all. Recently-extinct languages include Cochimi, which was spoken from north of Loreto to the northern part of the Baja California peninsula, Eyak, historically spoken in south central Alaska and the Kakadu or Gaagudju language was spoken in northern Australia, in the environs of what is now known as Kakadu National Park.

Modern Languages

In contrast to these, a Modern Language is one which has living native speakers. The continuing loss of indigenous, tribal, ethnic and historically valuable languages has now triggered a movement for the documentation and preservation of these types of localized tongues for their continued study by linguistics scholars.



Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Why Do Languages Die?

Dead or Dying Languages of the World

“How any languages are there in the World?" Well the answer to that question will depend largely on when the question is asked. You see, the number of world languages is a fluid, changing thing. As recently as two years ago, the number of languages in the world was put at 6912, but with dozens of obscure languages falling into obsolescence and disuse almost monthly, now even that figure is in question. More than 517 languages are now on the “endangered” or "dying languages" list. Increasingly, English as a foreign language is extending its influence as a worldwide lingua franca. This, among other reasons, is impacting the survival of regionally or locally-based indigenous tongues around the globe. Hundreds of culturally-rich, ethnic and historically significant languages are dying and not just because of the proliferation of English as a foreign language. But why do languages die?

Why Languages Die

There are a number of reasons for the ultimate disappearance of a language. Briefly then, let’s look at some of them.

No native speakers

As the number of speakers of a language dwindles, the language becomes increasingly endangered to the point of extinction. Grandparents use the language, like Eyak, for example, with their adult children. The adult children, now parents themselves, may use the language little, if at all with their own children, preferring the use of another lingua franca. Finally, the youngest generation abandons the language entirely, never learns it or moves away to seek their fortunes elsewhere, in a location the language is not known or used. With this last generation, the language finally "dies".

No written Form

Numerous languages existed with only a spoken, traditional form, passing down the customs, traditions and elements of the language purely through “Griots”, historians or story-tellers. Harsh climates, lack of durable materials or a distinctive absence of written structure all could contribute to the demise of a traditionally spoken language form. Pictorial forms of a language may exist on non-permanent or semi-permanent media such as animal skins, rock or cave paintings, crudely-formed parchment-like materials or carvings in tree trunks, logs or even as tattoos on human skin.

Absorption by another Lingua Franca

An increasing phenomenon which is causing the disappearance of numerous tongues is the “absorption” of cultures, communicative and data preservation aspects of a “minor” language by a stronger, more widely-spoken and commercially used lingua franca. Nomadic tribes of eastern and central Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and the isolated islands and rain forests of the south Pacific tend to “lose” their linguistic heritage through this means. In order for a people or tribe to survive, it becomes increasingly necessary to form trade and other alliances with other, extraneous groups. This requires the adaptation of a common lingua franca for each such tribe. The broader and more widely-used the lingua franca, the more range and options a group, tribe or groups of people have. Often this may take the form of a “pidgin” are mixture of indigenous languages merged into a more broadly communicative form like Melanesian Pidgin.

In part two of this series entitled, “Dying, Dead and Extinct Languages” we’ll continue our glimpse into the demise of some languages and the proliferation of others.

See you then.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 135 countries worldwide. Get your FREE, pdf format report on CD or via e-mail, "If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com