Language is the most necessary tool in our life. Today in the world there are about six thousand languages. According to UNESCO, in the near future, approximately half of them may lose their last carriers, and therefore completely disappear. It is important to note that languages go away not only in the modern world, because even in ancient times it happened that they did not leave a trace.
Classification of underutilized languages
What languages are endangered? Of course, those that are still used in society, but may disappear in the near future. So, scientists have developed a fairly clear classification that divides less-used languages into the following groups:
- Extinct languages are characterized by the absolute exclusion of native speakers.
- Languages on the verge of eradication are the rarest in the whole world, therefore the number of their speakers is extremely small (as a rule, does not exceed a dozen). In addition, elderly people living in rural areas speak such languages.
- Disappearing languages are characterized by a sufficient number of native speakers (from several hundred to tens of thousands) of advanced age. Children and teenagers categorically do not learn such languages.
- Dysfunctional languages that are used by about a thousand people. Nevertheless, children are still learning these languages, but to a minimal extent.
- Unstable languages that can switch to another group at any time. It is important to note that they are used by people of absolutely all ages and statuses, although languages do not have official binding.
Which group does a particular language belong to?
Fortunately or unfortunately, the list of endangered languages is quite rich, which suggests the need for their classification. It should be noted that to determine a specific language group, it is important not how many speakers use one or another language, but the tendency to transmit it to future generations. If children are not taught the language, then it can easily move from the final group to “ extinct languages ” in the shortest possible time.
In 2009, the latest edition of the Atlas of World's Endangered Languages was developed, which provides disappointing information that today about 2500 world languages are threatened with extinction (in 2001 this figure was almost three times less, while only 900 languages were in similar situation). It is important to note that the endangered languages of the peoples of Russia today number 131 units in their grouping. In addition, the census data indicate that the number of few nationalities is reduced by a couple of dozen annually. But nationality also includes the corresponding language!
The endangered languages of Russia: Kerek
With the advent of modern civilization, the active assimilation of people of various cultural affiliations is carried out. So, many nationalities are gradually being eradicated from the face of the earth. Of course, their rare representatives try to preserve and even pass on the traditions and customs of their people to future generations, which does not always work out.
Today, only two people speak the Kerek language (according to the latest census). Kereks (they often call themselves Ankalgak) are a very small ethnic group of the North, which lives in the Bering district of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The language in question never had a written language - it was spoken exclusively in family circles. Today, almost five thousand Kerek words have been preserved. The history of this nation has a 3,000-year history. It all started with living in conditions of natural isolation, followed by resettlement in chopped areas (XX century). Kereks formed separate families in some villages of Chukotka. In addition, they underwent assimilation with another small nation - the Chukchi.
Udege language as one of the smallest
Annually extinct languages of Russia actively replenish their ranks. So, today no more than a hundred people speak Udege language. This language is common in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories of the Russian Federation. It has some features of the languages of the northern group, therefore it is very similar to Oroch. Udege language in our time is used only by the elderly and exclusively for everyday communication with each other. It is important to note that young people do not know their native language (all people under 40 should be included here). Currently, several of its dialects are distinguished, among which the choir, Bikin, and also Samarga are more famous. So, the nature of their grammar and syntax are similar, but in terms of vocabulary and phonetics, significant differences can be observed. However, in the process of migration they are leveled. It is important to note that the language in question has a written language, which can be proved by the formation of E. R. Schneider of the corresponding alphabet based on the Latin alphabet.
Water language
Which languages are extinct , and which are on the verge of extinction? Over time, this issue excites society more and more. And this is not surprising, because the human desire to preserve the native language as long as possible is an adequate reaction to the situation of the present.
The Voda language, which belongs to the Baltic-Finnish group of the Uralic language family, is endangered, because today there are no more than twenty of its speakers. One of the language classifications provides information that the Vodian language together with Estonian and Libyan forms the southern subgroup. The dialect under consideration is represented by several types of dialects, subdivided into western, widespread in rural settlements Krokolye, Puddles and Sands, and eastern, occurring in the Koporye region. It should be noted that the differences between the dialects are insignificant. The first grammar of the Vodka language was formed in the 19th century, and a century later Dmitry Tsvetkov from the village of Krakolye created the Vodka grammar in his native language.
Sami languages
Today, the dying languages of the world have many elements in their row, which should include a group of Sami languages, also called Lapar and related to Finno-Ugric. Their carriers are Sámi, or Lapari (the first definition, as a rule, sounds differently among different Sámi groups and serves as a Russified term, and the second is one of the names). Among the considered population, such languages as Uume, Piite, Luule, Inari, Sklidsky, Babinic, Kildin, Tersky and many others are distinguished. It is worth noting that the number of speakers of Sami languages around the world is very significant (more than 53,000 people). Nevertheless, in the territory of the Russian Federation no more than twenty people practice such an original dialect. In addition, these people, as it turned out, mostly speak Russian. The phonetics and phonology of the Sami language group is characterized by an increased level of complexity, because often words contain long and short vowels and consonants, as well as diphthongs and triftones.
What is the reason for the disappearance of languages and how to preserve your native language?
As it turned out, extinct languages constitute a significant problem in the modern world, which enjoys increased public attention. In addition, forecasts show that the trend of extinction of languages will only intensify, because the advent of innovative technologies is rapidly leading to a disappointing conclusion: national minorities are making more and more efforts to recognize their native languages, but often to no avail. This is due to the active development of the Internet. Naturally, a person is unlikely to take seriously a language that is not represented on the World Wide Web.
Thus, for the preservation and prosperity of his native language, he needs to pay great attention, because it serves as a tool for communication, reflection and perception, and also fully characterizes the vision of the overall world picture. The native language fully reflects the relationship between the past, present and future, moreover, it is a means of expressing creativity. All the above facts serve as the maximum motivation for society in relation to the desire for active use, preservation for the longest possible period, as well as high-quality transmission of their native language to the next generation.