105-Learning Journal # 7

[Carlos Diaz]

The New York Times article “Tribe Revives Language on Verge of Extinction” and the video interview of David Harrison talked about the seriousness of losing a language and efforts being made to rescue/ prevent the loss of languages. Due to globalization, the world has found established predominant languages like English, Spanish, and Mandarin which have been enforced in society thus pushing minority languages. In the article, the author discusses how the Siletz language, a tribe language, reached a point of near extinction due to historical and social pressures pushing it away. Many languages around the world that are at risk of being terminated are spoken by indigenous people. Many people, specifically anthropologist like David Harrison, are examining the causes and locations of this language extinction. They noticed leading causes are due to the lack of continuity and reduction of the population by an aging population. It was interesting to see the data collection and challenges of their studies in Siberia. I like how the very thing that can result in the extinction of a language is the same thing that can help revive it or strengthen it, globalization. The internet helped Siletz come back by providing websites or online dictionaries to record and spread the language. Many people have shown interest in Siletz which has allowed it to increase in numbers and use. Language extinction is severe because it is a huge part of a culture, potential a crucial aspect. A language offers much knowledge and understanding of the world, hence knowing more than language helps one in comprehending this diverse world. One’s language shows a small aspect of the world. I believe languages are a pieces od the puzzle of the world, and the lost of one is detrimental to the wholeness of the puzzle. It affects by leaving a gap socially, historically and other aspects of life.