'Sleeping' languages may be lost forever (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

*'Sleeping' languages may be lost forever*

Tue, 18 Sep 2012

*Prof Ghil'ad Zuckermann argues that the loss of language is more severe
than the loss of land.*

Of the 7000 languages in the world today, it is predicted that up to 90%
will become extinct within 100 years.

In Australia, where I live, out of 250 Indigenous languages, only 15 - just
6% - are alive and kicking, by which I mean their children are native
speakers.

The rest are what I like to call "sleeping beauties" - and if we do not
take action they could be lost forever. With globalisation, homogenisation
and Coca-colonisation there will be more and more groups all over the world
added to the forlorn club of the lost-heritage peoples.

Does it matter?

I think it does.

Access full article below:
http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/226315/sleeping-languages-may-be-lost-forever
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