GAC028 AE03 Pham Thao Quyen SLIS71498

GAC028 Assessment Event 3: Secondary Research Project

Language Extinction: Cultural

Impact

Student's Name: Phạm Thảo Quyên - Alley

Student ID #: SLIS71498

Teacher: Daniel Cross

Due Date: 9 April 2024

Word Count: 1200

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Abstract

The report uncover the historical context of language death, the contributing factors to this global issue,

and the ongoing efforts to preserve linguistic diversity. The report aims as a call to action for linguists,

policymakers, and communities worldwide to recognize the value of every language and endeavor to

safeguard our shared human heritage. The significance of language extinction runs deep. It not only

signifies the loss of a means of communication but also represents the disappearance of cultures,

traditions, and unique worldviews. The secondary research method for studying language death

involves identifying key theories, concepts, and research methodologies previously utilized in studies

on language endangerment and revitalization. Future generations can inherit a world rich in cultural

diversity and robust traditions if we increase our understanding of the cultural significance of

endangered languages and support efforts to resuscitate them.

1.0 Introduction

Linguists estimate that roughly every two weeks, a language dies, with over half of the world's

languages at risk of disappearing by the end of this century (David Crystal, 2000). The death of a

language, a term intimately related to the cessation of existence, occurs when a language loses its last

native speaker. This process often results from a shift from bilingualism to monolingualism, with the

dominant language gradually replacing the mother tongue within the community.The significance of

language extinction runs deep. It not only signifies the loss of a means of communication but also

represents the disappearance of cultures, traditions, and unique worldviews.

Delving deeper into this topic, the report uncover the historical context of language death, the

contributing factors to this global issue, and the ongoing efforts to preserve linguistic diversity. The

report aims as a call to action for linguists, policymakers, and communities worldwide to recognize the

value of every language and endeavor to safeguard our shared human heritage.

2.0 Methodology

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The secondary research method for studying language death involves identifying key theories, concepts,

and research methodologies previously utilized in studies on language endangerment and revitalization.

Next, clear research objectives are defined, focusing on factors contributing to language death or efforts

to revitalize languages. Subsequently, data is collected through academic papers on various aspects of

language death, including linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic factors.

3.0 Findings

Figure 1. Histograms of (a) language range size (km 2, n = 6359), (b) language population
size (n = 6569), (c) speaker growth rate (n = 649) and (d–f) their pairwise relationships.
The black vertical line in (c) and horizontal lines in (e) and (f) indicate the mean human
population growth rate between 1980 and 2000, and red bars (shown with arrows) in (c)
and orange circles in (e) and (f) show languages that have become extinct after 1949.
Red lines in (d)–(f) show the fitted segmented regression, and vertical solid and dashed
lines are the estimated thresholds and their 95% confidence intervals, respectively (see
Material and methods and electronic supplementary material, table S4 for more detail).
(Tatsuya Amano, 2014)

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Figure 2. Global maps of extinction-risk components for languages and the important
underlying drivers. The maps show median (a) language range size (km 2), (b) language
population size and (c) speaker growth rate. Medians were calculated for log 10-
transformed range size and population size and for speaker growth rate. The plots show
the individual effects of (d) annual precipitation on language range size, (e) annual
precipitation on language population size and (f) GDP per capita on speaker growth
rate, after effects of other variables and spatial autocorrelation have been partialled out.
Variables shown here are one of the most important variables in each of the best SAR
error models (i.e. those with the smallest AIC); lines represent regression lines based on
coefficients estimated in the best models. Other important variables are shown in the
electronic supplementary material, figures S8–10. (Tatsuya Amano ,2014)

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Figure 3. (a–d) Decline over time of the population fraction of speakers of minority
languages. Symbols correspond to historical data obtained from reference [19]. Lines
correspond to the best fit to the historical data obtained with equation (2.5). The
corresponding languages, best-fit values of the parameters α, β and γ, and the value
of χ2 from the least-squares regression are shown on the plots. (Neus Isern and Joaquim
Fort, 2014)

Many languages are classified as endangered because they have tiny geographic ranges and populations

of less than 20 km2, as shown in Figure 1 Pictures 1a and 1b. 291 languages fit this requirement,

assuming that populations are extremely susceptible for a brief amount of time (Tatsuya Amano, 2014).

Furthermore, the number of speakers of 1496 languages is less than 1000. The average global population

growth rate (1.016 between 1980 and 2000) is the focal point of the frequency distribution of speaker

growth rates, with a large left tail signifying the existence of languages facing a sharp fall (Figure 1c).

Out of all 649 languages, 193 (29.7%) have seen a recent fall in the number of speakers, and 168

(25.9%) have had an estimated decline rate of more than 30% over the course of three generations,

earning them the designation of endangered. Therefore, because of their limited geographic range, small

speaker populations, and quickly dropping speaker numbers, 1705 (24.7%) out of 6909 languages are

classified as endangered. The 2nd data set provides an illustration of the distribution and sources of

extinction risk, for instance. In tropical and polar regions, both the geographic range and speaker

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population sizes are typically limited (Figures 2a, 2b), and both tend to rise from low to high latitudes

(Neus Isern and Joaquim Fort, 2014). Higher latitudes tend to have slower rates of increase in the

speaker population; North America, Europe, Russia, Australia, and arid regions of Africa and the

Middle East see particularly sharp drops in speaker numbers (Figure 2c). Furthermore, a comparison of

the parameter values obtained in Figure 3 reveals that, for three datasets pertaining to Celtic languages

in the United Kingdom (Figures 2a, c, and d), similar values were obtained; however, parameter values

for the Quechua language differ significantly from these datasets (Figure 2b). This is a valid conclusion

given that Welsh and Scottish Gaelic have developed in rather comparable environments, which may

or may not differ from the situation of the Quechua language. However, there are significant differences

in the value of α in Monmouthshire and when considering the whole of Wales, indicating a higher

resistance to change in Monmouthshire.

In conclusion, languages at the threshold (average: 334, 95% CI: 191–587) (Figure 1f) demonstrate that

many languages have managed to survive with speaker growth rates that are comparable to the average

rate of population growth worldwide, whereas languages with speaker populations below the threshold

exhibit declines and, in many cases, have become extinct recently, posing a clear threat to the language's

population and cultural development.

4.0 Discussion

The cultural impact of language extinction extend beyond the mere disappearance of languages; they

also include the significant deterioration of a community's identity, legacy, and social cohesiveness.

First of all, the loss of cultural legacy signifies the passing on of information, customs, and oral histories

from one generation to the next. For instance, intricate information on regional ecosystems, custom

healing methods, and storytelling customs that are essential to the community's cultural identity can

frequently be found in indigenous languages. In the absence of these languages, significant facets of

cultural legacy run the risk of being lost forever, denying upcoming generations access to the depth and

variety of ancestors' customs (Seong Lin Ding And Kim Leng Goh, nd).

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Second, people may feel deeply disconnected from their cultural roots and alienated when a language

vanishes, resulting in feelings of estrangement. Language is a reflection of one's cultural identity and

sense of personal worth in addition to being a tool for communication. As a result, losing one's language

can lead to a loss of social prestige and cultural pride. Furthermore, when newer generations are unable

to speak the language of their ancestors, it disrupts the transfer of history, customs, and cultural

knowledge from one generation to the next (Cámara-Leret, 2021). As a result, there's a chance that

traditions, rituals, and customs will be lost or diluted over time. This fragmentation of cultural continuity

may lead to the loss of cultural cohesion and collective memory within the community, as individuals

struggle to maintain connections with their cultural heritage in the absence of a shared linguistic

framework (Ross Perlin, 2024).

In conclusion, the cultural effects of language extinction go well beyond the mere disappearance of

languages; they also include the severe deterioration of cultural legacy, personal identity, and communal

social integration. Future generations can inherit a world rich in cultural diversity and robust traditions

if we increase our understanding of the cultural significance of endangered languages and support

efforts to resuscitate them.

5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

In conclusion, the findings show that languages with speaker populations below the threshold exhibit

declines and, in many cases, have become extinct recently, posing a clear threat to the language's

population and cultural development.Language dying is a serious problem that has broad effects on

human understanding and cultural diversity (Wael Almurashi, 2017). We lose a wealth of knowledge,

a part of our cultural history, and our sense of identity when languages go. To solve the problem of

language death, linguists, legislators, educators, and communities must collaborate. In the future, myths,

songs, oral histories, and cultural practices could all be gathered by academics. Save and digitize this

priceless knowledge for upcoming generations.

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Reference List

David Crystal (2000), Language death, UK: Cambridge University Press [online]. Available from:

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/19250 [Accessed 30 March 2024]

Seong Lin Ding And Kim Leng Goh. (nd), The impact of religion on language maintenance and shift,

Language in Society [online]. Available from: https://sci

hub.se/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-in-society/article/abs/impact-of-

religion-on-language-maintenance-and-shift/7C1CA0FF9B8C7C327D66EA27A7C8D475

[Accessed 30 March 2024]

Ross Perlin. (2024), Linguistic diversity on Earth is far more profound and fundamental than

previously imagined. But it’s also crumbling fast, [online]. Available from:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/feb/22/disappearing-tongues-the-endangered-

language-crisis [Accessed 30 March 2024]

Wael Almurashi (2017), Why we should care about language death,Researchgate [online]. Available

from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330131917_WHY_WE_SHOULD_CARE_A

BOUT_LANGUAGE_DEATH [Accessed 30 March 2024]

Neus Isern and Joaquim Fort (2014), Language extinction and linguistic fronts,Royalsociety [online].

Available from: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2014.0028#d3e1457

[Accessed 30 March 2024]

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Tatsuya Amano (2014), Global distribution and drivers of language extinction risk, Royalsociety

[online]. Available from: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2014.1574

[Accessed 30 March 2024]

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Appendix

Figure 1. Histograms of (a) language range size (km 2, n = 6359), (b) language population
size (n = 6569), (c) speaker growth rate (n = 649) and (d–f) their pairwise relationships.
The black vertical line in (c) and horizontal lines in (e) and (f) indicate the mean human
population growth rate between 1980 and 2000, and red bars (shown with arrows) in (c)
and orange circles in (e) and (f) show languages that have become extinct after 1949.
Red lines in (d)–(f) show the fitted segmented regression, and vertical solid and dashed
lines are the estimated thresholds and their 95% confidence intervals, respectively (see
Material and methods and electronic supplementary material, table S4 for more detail).

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Figure 2. Global maps of extinction-risk components for languages and the important
underlying drivers. The maps show median (a) language range size (km 2), (b) language
population size and (c) speaker growth rate. Medians were calculated for log 10-
transformed range size and population size and for speaker growth rate. The plots show
the individual effects of (d) annual precipitation on language range size, (e) annual
precipitation on language population size and (f) GDP per capita on speaker growth
rate, after effects of other variables and spatial autocorrelation have been partialled out.
Variables shown here are one of the most important variables in each of the best SAR
error models (i.e. those with the smallest AIC); lines represent regression lines based on
coefficients estimated in the best models. Other important variables are shown in the
electronic supplementary material, figures S8–10.

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Figure 3. (a–d) Decline over time of the population fraction of speakers of minority
languages. Symbols correspond to historical data obtained from reference [19]. Lines
correspond to the best fit to the historical data obtained with equation (2.5). The
corresponding languages, best-fit values of the parameters α, β and γ, and the value
of χ2 from the least-squares regression are shown on the plots.

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