Extinction of Languages

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Extinction of Languages

Causes of Language Death

Migration and urbanization area also major factors contirbuting towards language death. As people move towards ubranized areas for work they are surrounded with the dominant culture's language.

Language death is typically as a result of colonialsim. Cultural transition to that of the colinising state is the main factor that leads to the extinction of native language. For workers in a colinised state to survive, they must conduct themselves in the language used by the colonisers.

Influence of Internet

Less international boundaries/differences; more connected world.

Foreign media more influential as a result of the internet.

Industralism

Increased commuting/migration to indusrial centres means less isolated communities; therefore less likelihood of conserving unique languages.

Globalized capitalism means more jobs require a lingua franca.

Globalization

Dominant culture is that of the American consumer; American culture and language diminishing unique cultures/languages

Global economy means trade happens in lingua francas; Mandirin, Arabic, English, French, Russian, Spanish

Development of Languages vs. Language Extinction

Extinciton of a language is when its last native speaker dies. It is not a natural part of the language development process. It is the end of a language's development.

Languages naturally develop over time; older forms of common languages are not considered extinct languages. These languages like Old English, live on through modern English.

Culturicide

Maybe a global cultural genocide occurring: a shift towards consumerist culture globally. Goes hand in hand with transitions of languages to lingua francas. It is easier to advertise if all people speak the same language.

Part of the process of colonialism; destruction of native language/means of communictation is beneficial to colonising process.

Effects on Indigenous Communities

Loss of spirituality as a result of cultural assimiliation; negative impacts upon mental health.

Language extinciton leading to loss of culture.

Colonialism

"During colonization, colonizers usually imposed their language onto the peoples they colonized, forbidding natives to speak their mother tongues. In some cases colonizers systematically prohibited native languages. Many writers educated under colonization recount how students were demoted, humiliated, or even beaten for speaking their native language in colonial schools." (Shakib, 2011)

Historically, colonialism has set in place systems in which the extinction of indigenous communities and their cultures is beneficial. Language plays a key role in the process of colonialism; communicating through lingua franca and also cultural assimilation/genocide.