Language in danger

Presentation

On the few 6.000 Language S of the world , a great number is disappearing and this phenomenon accelerates year by year. Some figures:

50% of the languages is in danger of disappearance;
a language disappears on average every two weeks;
if nothing is done, 90% of the languages probably will disappear during this century.

The languages represent part of the Patrimoine of humanity and it is thus part of the world cultural heritage which disappears little by little. The linguists also are very worried by this phenomenon, because the languages which disappear are often languages which contain rare linguistic phenomena, even single, and if they were not indexed, recorded, studied, they are lost forever.

UNESCO launched an action in favor of the safeguard of the languages in danger.

Topicality

the Nüshu has just disappeared (it is not a Langue, but a Written form reserved to the women).

In Europe

Belgium

All these regional languages, although recognized by the institutions (French-speaking), are in danger. It is about:

brabançon
Of Brussels
Champagne
Francique
Gaumais (local alternative of the Lorraine )
Limbourgeois
Luxembourg (as a language practiced in Belgium)
Picardy
Walloon

France

See note

Alsatian
Breton
Corsica
Occitan
Flemish Franco-Provençal Westerner
the Welsh

None of these languages obtained statute, nor is not recognized by the law or the French Constitution. Defense associations of these languages thus intend to carry felt sorry for nonassistance to languages and cultures in danger.

Switzerland

Romanche

This Swiss official language still slightly spoken in the canton about the Grisons is more used only by 0.7% of the local population. The new generations do not learn any more this language at the school.

In Asia

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