How Translation Helps Endangered Languages

June 15, 2019
Christine S

How Translation Helps Endangered Languages

While English enjoys robust growth with the expansion of the internet over the past two decades, rare and indigenous languages continue to experience decline in the number of fluent speakers. Of the more than 7,000 languages spoken in the world today, only a couple of dozen account for the primary languages spoken by more than half the world’s population.

How Languages Become Endangered

At least 2,000 of these rare languages are considered endangered, as fluent speakers number under 1,000. These languages include many Indigenous languages, which are often lost with the aging of fluent speakers. The expansion of online resources in primary languages like Chinese, English, and Spanish can also contribute to the decline of these rare languages.

What Makes Rare Languages Worth Protecting

Indigenous and rare languages provide some of the most vital means for capturing and preserving the cultures of which they are a part. Losing these cultural records necessarily depletes the rich diversity of art, literature, and other forms of cultural expression. Taking time to formalize a language, and then steps to preserve it, can not only celebrate a vital part of a country’s or people’s history, but it can also enrich the future.

Why Translation and Interpreting Services Can Help

Language services such as interpretation and translation can play a vital role in preserving rare and disappearing languages. While technology can help with this preservation, so much more is needed. By providing opportunities and resources through community and business support, language services can bring helpful insight into the nuances of the language and vital support for its continued use and preservation. Preservation, in turn, helps to protect the rich cultural resources and history contained in these rare and indigenous languages.

How AFLS Supports Endangered Languages

As The 400 Language People!, AFLS provides services in many rare languages, including:

Basque (660,000 speakers left)
Irish Gaelic (440,000 speakers left)
Ojibwe (6,000 speakers left), and
Quechua (2,300,000 speakers left).

In fact, we offer interpreting and translation services in 400 languages and counting. We would love to help you with all of your language services needs. Contact us today for a free quote!

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