Forty one ethnic group languages under threat in China (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Forty one ethnic group languages under threat in China

By Kelly Chan February 22, 2011

Half of the world’s languages are under the threat of extinction with
China facing the loss of 41 ethnic group dialects , the China Radio
International (CRI) reported on Monday.

As Feb 21, 2011 marks the 11th International Mother Language Day,
UNESCO, the cultural arm of the United Nations (UN) has created
safeguarding and promoting languages as its theme, according to their
website.

Speaking of the 41 endangered ethnic group languages in China, Dr
Bradley, a language professional, says we risk losing component of our
history. “Every time a language disappears that indicates the entire
cultural understanding of that folks disappears.” He also says the
factors that trigger the possible disappearance of ethnic languages
around China include the wide use of Putonghua (Chinese mandarin).

Access full article below:
http://www.phbeta.com/world/forty-one-ethnic-group-languages-under-threat-in-china/