Timeline Vodcast | Language Extinction

In this episode of Timeline Vodcast, we join the rest of the world to celebrate “International Mother Language Day” a worldwide annual observance on 21 February, to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism.

Languages are disappearing at an alarming rate, with nearly 40% of the world’s 7,000 languages now endangered (UNESCO). Every two weeks, another language fades into history, bringing invaluable cultural heritage, oral traditions, and indigenous knowledge. Colonization, globalization, and shifting education policies have played a major role in this loss, while media dominance and digital exclusion continue to push smaller languages further into obscurity.

But not all hope is lost. Around the world, efforts are being made to preserve and revive endangered languages, from grassroots movements to global initiatives like UNESCO’s Decade of Indigenous Languages. Success stories like the revival of Hebrew, Hawaiian, and Māori prove that with dedication, education, and institutional support, languages can be brought back from the brink of extinction.

This episode delves into the causes of language loss, the deep impact it has on cultural identity, and the efforts being made to keep linguistic diversity alive. It also explores what individuals and communities can do to help, from learning and speaking indigenous languages to advocating for policies that protect them. Language is more than just words; it is history, identity, and a way of seeing the world.

Join us, as we raise the awareness that preserving language means keeping alive the rich tapestry of human expression for generations to come.