A language dies every two weeks
Swiss Newspaper 20 Minuten reports on language loss, ahead of the upcoming "International Mother Language Day".
The article tells that the 2010 update to UNESCO's Atlas of endangered languages mentions 230 languages that have disappeared since 1950, and 572 "Acutely threatened" languages in the Americas, Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa.
On a local level, the article highlights the 8 languages of Switzerland that are in the UNESCO Atlas: Franc-Comtois (which ethnologue refers to as a dialect of French), Romansh, Francoprovençal, Lombard, and Bavarian, as well as Yiddish and Romani.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
The vulnerable lives of Bengal's Birhor tribals
A report in the India News Post about the effect of poor health and deforestation on Birhors in West Bengal.
The Birhor Language is Critically Endangered, with 2000 speakers, according to UNESCO estimates, or 10000 according to Ethnologue.
A report in the India News Post about the effect of poor health and deforestation on Birhors in West Bengal.
The Birhor Language is Critically Endangered, with 2000 speakers, according to UNESCO estimates, or 10000 according to Ethnologue.
Monday, 7 February 2011
The Independent reports that there are > 100 uncontacted tribes in the world
In 2011, there are 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide
Following the publication of a photo of a group of people in the Brazilian Amazon, The Independent reports that there an estimated 100 isolated tribes worldwide. The report concentrates on the Amazon, and highlights the risks posed by gold miners and oil exploration in the area.
Following the publication of a photo of a group of people in the Brazilian Amazon, The Independent reports that there an estimated 100 isolated tribes worldwide. The report concentrates on the Amazon, and highlights the risks posed by gold miners and oil exploration in the area.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Rosetta Stone Inupiaq
Alaska natives team with Rosetta Stone
The Seattle Times reports that the North Slope Inupiaq version of Rosetta Stone language learning software is to be released in Spring.
The article comments on the state of Alaskan Languages, mentioning that only Inupiaq and Central Yup'ik have over 1000 speakers. And that Eyak is now extinct. It offers a poor prognosis for Inupiaq, stating that children are brought up in English Only Households.
The article also describes the distribution model of the software, with 800 free copies already having been distributed, and that 150 have been sold.
Another project from the Rosetta Stone Endangered Languages Programme has been mentioned in this blog: Rosetta Stone Navajo
The Seattle Times reports that the North Slope Inupiaq version of Rosetta Stone language learning software is to be released in Spring.
The article comments on the state of Alaskan Languages, mentioning that only Inupiaq and Central Yup'ik have over 1000 speakers. And that Eyak is now extinct. It offers a poor prognosis for Inupiaq, stating that children are brought up in English Only Households.
The article also describes the distribution model of the software, with 800 free copies already having been distributed, and that 150 have been sold.
Another project from the Rosetta Stone Endangered Languages Programme has been mentioned in this blog: Rosetta Stone Navajo
Monday, 3 January 2011
QI Column mentions last speakers
QI: QI goes off on one
A column of interesting facts about the number 1, contains an entry on last speakers.
The current last speakers of Yaghan and Kaixána are mentioned. The article also mentions the last native speaker of Cornish, prior to its revival
A column of interesting facts about the number 1, contains an entry on last speakers.
The current last speakers of Yaghan and Kaixána are mentioned. The article also mentions the last native speaker of Cornish, prior to its revival
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Northern Paiute Scholar in the news
Ark. prof works to save endangered Indian language
This story started in the Arkensas Democrat-Gazette (content now behind paywall), and has been published by various papers since.
The story reports that Northern Paiute has about 300 speakers, most of whom are over 50. And that Professor Tim Thorne recorded 150-200 hours of oral literature in a six-week visit to Oregon.
This story started in the Arkensas Democrat-Gazette (content now behind paywall), and has been published by various papers since.
The story reports that Northern Paiute has about 300 speakers, most of whom are over 50. And that Professor Tim Thorne recorded 150-200 hours of oral literature in a six-week visit to Oregon.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
New language discovered in India
Explorers in India find something almost unheard of: a new language
The Independent reports that the Koro language was originally thought to be a dialect of Aka or Miji. In 2008 researchers realised that it was distinct.
The article closes with a list of facts about endangered and extinct languages.
The Independent reports that the Koro language was originally thought to be a dialect of Aka or Miji. In 2008 researchers realised that it was distinct.
The article closes with a list of facts about endangered and extinct languages.
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