Discussion Post #9

[Joseph Lee]

There seem to be many variables that cause a language to go extinct, but there seems to also be a common pattern. Tribe Revives Language on Verge of Extinction and When Languages Die by David Harrison both show how the primary cause of language extinction is the decrease of the population which speaks it. With modernization, many populations have converged into common languages, like English, as it has become more effective in terms of communication and overall literature/academics. Many smaller/traditional populations will slowly start assimilating into larger populations, and switch their primary language in the act. Over several generations, a language may be completely lost. We can also see that there are other complications in keeping a language “alive”, such as the fact that many dying languages are only spoken by the older generation. In situations like this, it can be difficulty in hearing, speech, or comprehension that cause complications in keeping a language alive. A linguist can keep a language alive by listing/documenting all the aspects of the language, such that someone can self learn the language without assistance - but this in itself causes its own issues. This would need extensive resources/knowledge to preserve a dying language, and there is already limited knowledge. Also, preserving a language for the sake of relearning is impractical, as at the end of the day it is common practice and immersing in an environment that allows someone to improve upon a language. So even if a language is “alive” - it is not necessarily thriving. In my opinion, when a language is learnt for the sake of reviving it, or generally learnt out of interest rather than culture (secondary vs primary), it is not alive. I think a dead language can revive, but it is almost impossible for it to do so. The language would need a growing population of its speakers, and a consistent interest/culture around it. But if there were such interest/culture revolving around a language, it probably wouldn’t be dead in the first place.