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From https://www.theworldweekly.com/reader/view/magazine/2018-01-04/lifelines-for-indigenous-languages/10437

Lifelines for indigenous languages
by Anna Grace
January 4, 2018

At least 2,500 languages around the world are in danger. Many of those under threat are autochthonous languages, spoken by small numbers of indigenous people often living in remote communities. 

...”There’s a real misconception in the media about linguists ‘saving languages’,” Monica Macaulay, president of The Endangered Language Fund, told TWW. “Linguists have a set of skills to offer which can be helpful, but the motivation and the desire to do it has to come from within the community itself.”

Direct collaboration with native speakers is at the core of some more ambitious efforts, says [Dr.] Macaulay, “there are many wonderful projects going on all over the world run by amazingly inspired speakers and descendants of speakers.” 

Language forms an integral part of the cultural heritage and original identity of many communities. When languages are lost, a wealth of history, cultural specificity and unique forms of communication tend to go with them. 

Read the full article at https://www.theworldweekly.com/reader/view/magazine/2018-01-04/lifelines-for-indigenous-languages/10437