Journal #7

[Sarah Kwon]

A language usually becomes extinct when another language is dominating and out competes the passive language. This can be seen in history when a country colonizes another area. The colonized area will be under another government system, and may be forced to speak another language. This in turn makes their dominant language the passive one and then slowly over generations, their native language becomes extinct. Linguist can help preserve a language by offering a diversity of language classes to students. Keeping a good record and documentation of potentially endangered languages will also be very helpful, especially when they are looking to revive the language. Therefore, a language can be revived, as long as there is documentation and a demand. There must be some purpose in reviving a language to garner attention. 

[Bowman Rains]

Language is very important to a culture.  It is sad that so many languages have been lost due to war and strife.  Languages should always be preserved because of what they can tell us about a group of people.  Language is just as important to culture as its art, food, and history.  By preserving a language, we preserve a moment in history.