Language is the most essential tool in our lives. There are about 6,000 languages in the world today. According to UNESCO, in the near future, approximately half of them may lose their last carriers, and therefore disappear completely. It is important to note that languages are not only disappearing in the modern world, because even in ancient times it happened that they did not leave a trace.
Classification of underused 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 little-used languages into the following groups:
- Extinct languages are characterized by the absolute exclusion of speakers.
- Languages on the verge of extinction are the rarest in the world, so the number of their speakers is extremely small (as a rule, does not exceed a dozen). In addition, they speak such languageselderly people living in rural areas.
- Endangered languages are characterized by a sufficient number of speakers (from several hundred to tens of thousands) of advanced age. Children and adolescents are categorically not taught such languages.
- Unfavorable languages that are used by about a thousand people. However, children are still learning these languages, but to a minimal extent.
- Unstable languages that can move 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 fixing.
Which group does a particular language belong to?
For better or worse, the list of endangered languages is rich enough to warrant classification. It should be noted that in order to determine a specific language group, it is important not how many speakers use a particular language, but the tendency to pass it on to the next generations. If children are not taught a 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 Endangered Languages of the World" was developed, which contains disappointing information that today about 2,500 languages of the world are under the threat of extinction (in 2001 this figure was almost three times less, then only 900 languages were in a similar situation). It is important to note that the endangered languages of the peoples of Russia today have 131 units in their grouping. In addition, census datathey say that the number of few nationalities is annually reduced by a couple of dozen. But nationality also includes the corresponding language!
Endangered languages of Russia: Kerek
With the advent of modern civilization, there is an active assimilation of people of different cultural backgrounds. So, many nationalities are gradually 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 Kerek (according to the latest census). The Kereks (they often call themselves Ankalgakku) are a very small ethnic group of the North that lives in the Beringovsky District of the Chukotka Autonomous Region. The language in question never had a written language - it was spoken exclusively in family circles. To date, almost five thousand Kerek words have been preserved. The history of this people has a 3000-year history. It all started with living in conditions of natural isolation, followed by resettlement in logged zones (XX century). Kereks formed separate families in some of the villages of Chukotka. In addition, they underwent assimilation with another small nationality - the Chukchi.
Udege language as one of the smallest languages
Every year the extinct languages of Russia are actively replenishing their ranks. So, today no more than a hundred people speak the Udege language. This language is spoken inKhabarovsk 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. The Udege language in our time is used only by older people and exclusively for the purpose of everyday communication with each other. It is important to note that young people do not know their native language (this includes all people under 40). Currently, several of its dialects are distinguished, among which the more famous are Khor, Bikinsky, and Samarga. 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 by E. R. Schneider of the corresponding alphabet based on the Latin alphabet.
Votian
Which languages are extinct and which are on the brink of extinction? Over time, this issue worries 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 response to the situation of our time.
The Vod language, belonging to the B altic-Finnish grouping of the Uralic language family, is an endangered language, because today there are no more than twenty of its speakers. One of the language classifications provides information that Votic, together with Estonian and Liv, forms a southern subgroup. The considered dialect is represented by several types of dialects,subdivided into western, common in rural settlements of Krokolye, Luzhitsy and Peski, and eastern, taking place in the Koporye region. It should be noted that the differences between the given dialects are insignificant. The first grammar of the Votic language was formed back in the 19th century, and a century later, Dmitry Tsvetkov from the village of Krakolye created the Votic grammar in his native language.
Sámi languages
Today, the endangered languages of the world have many elements in their series, which should also include the group of Sami languages, also called Lappish and related to Finno-Ugric. Their carriers are the Sami, or Lapps (the first definition, as a rule, sounds a little differently for different Sami groups and serves as a Russified term, and the second is one of the variants of names). Among the totality under consideration, there are such languages as Uume, Piite, Luule, Inari, Skoldian, Babinsk, Kildin, Terek and many others. It is worth noting that the number of speakers of Sami languages around the world is very significant (more than 53,000 people). Nevertheless, on 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 words often contain long and short vowels and consonants, as well as diphthongs and triphthongs.
What is the reason for the disappearance of languages and how to keep your native language?
As it turned out, in the modern world, extinct languages are a significant problem that enjoys increased public attention. In addition, forecasts show that the trend of language extinction will only intensify, because the emergence 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 one's native language, it is necessary to pay great attention to it, 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 these 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 to the next generation of their native language.
