1. Language Extinction

2. Language Demographics  There are approximately 6,700 current spoken languages  Since 1900, 600 have been languages lost  2400 languages are endangered, primarily those spoken by small indigenous groups of people  155 out of 175 are “moribund” in United States  95% of the world population speak 100 languages  45% world population speak Top 5 languages, referred to as “killer” languages

3. More Demographics  50-90% of current languages are projected to be lost during 21 st century leaving only approximately 600 languages  2/3 of world’s children are becoming bilingual  44%+ of world’s online population doesn’t use English

4. Top 10 World Languages Chinese 1.070 Billion English.508 Hindustani.497 Spanish.392 Russian.277 Arabic.246 Bengali.211 Portuguese.191 Malay-Indonesian.159 French.129

5. Possible Causes for Language Extinction  Colonization  Repressive governments  Attrition or assimilation of isolated cultures by modern cultures  Economic and political conflict/alliances  Consumerism through homogenizing corporate and/or artistic western influence  World globalization through new technologies and telecommunications  Human disease  Genocide

6. Prevention of Language Extinction  Dictionaries for translation  Bilingual educational programs and teacher training  Free lessons in public and private sector  Recording dying languages  Indigenous language movements

7. Some Visuals K. David Harrison Dying Language Expert http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SohcBBhNHM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmLYo8zQOVs&featu re=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmLYo8zQOVs&featu re=related Endangered Languages in Europe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvI5DWJQTnE&NR= 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvI5DWJQTnE&NR= 1 Navaho Language Schools http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE8kiVvkapc&feature =relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE8kiVvkapc&feature =related