According to the language research firm Ethnologue, there are around 7,111 languages on Earth. 27% of these languages are in danger of extinction. Here’s a list of some of the most fascinating endangered languages and why you would have a hard time finding global translation services for them.
Why Nauru Struggles Finding Global Translation Services
Good luck finding interpretation services for this language! Created by the San people of South Africa, the N|uu language has less than three native speakers today. More commonly referred to as Bushmen, the San people are a group of disparate hunter-gatherer communities who form one of the earliest native tribes in South Africa. Following the arrival of the Dutch in the 17th century, speakers of N|uu were persecuted for their language, leading to its decline. Nevertheless, its remaining speakers strive to maintain their distinct language. It’s a mix of 112 different sounds and clicks.
Kus Dili and Its Unique Sound
This unique language originates from the town of Kusköy in northern Turkey. Also known as the “bird language,” Kus Dili uses whistles that mimic the syllables of the Turkish language to help the people of Kusköy communicate across the mountainous valleys that dominate the region. Despite its decline in use, the Bird Language Festival has helped to keep the language alive within the community since 1997. It has contributed to a slight resurgence in the language’s popularity.
Votic and its Global Translation Services Proves Scarce
A combination of the Estonian and Ingrian languages, Votic is spoken by less than 20 people in the borderlands between Finland and Russia. Like the aforementioned N|uu language, Votic was almost completely eradicated due to Stalinist policies that discouraged language training in Votic and the devastation brought by World War II. Although you’d be hard-pressed to find a government interpreter for Votic, the language lives on through its stalwart group of speakers.
Ainu’s Global Translation Services Revival
Although this language has been considered critically endangered since the 1920s, Ainu is currently undergoing a period of revitalization due to the efforts of Shigeru Kayano. Native to the Japanese-held Kuril Islands, Ainu only exists as a written language, leaving researchers without the ability to translate documents and study the language in the traditional sense. Nevertheless, in 1987, Kayano founded a school dedicated to reviving this obscure language and preserving the unique cultural traditions of the Ainu people. This was a move which has increased the number of speakers in recent years.
Taushiro’s Near Extinction
As of 2017, this Amazonian language has only one native speaker: Amadeo García García. Profiled by the New York Times, García is the only representative for a language that once was spoken by thousands. Recognizing the value of saving this nearly-extinct language for posterity, researchers have worked with García in recent years to record words and stories from the Taushiro language, compiling a list of 1,500 words and a handful of stories and songs. Although one might not be able to find companies that offer global translation services for Taushiro, the efforts of García and professional linguists have helped preserve the language and documented language history.
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