Report Shows Rise in World's Endangered Languages

The latest atlas of the world's languages paints a dire picture of linguistic diversity

By U.S. News Staff

February 25, 2009 RSS Feed Print
  • 6,000: Approximate number of total world languages
  • 2,500: Approximate number of endangered languages
  • 199: Number of languages with fewer than 10 speakers
  • 178: Number of languages with between 10 and 50 speakers
  • Over 200: Languages that have become extinct over the last 3 generations
  • 26: Number of endangered languages in metropolitan France

Read more Data Points

Sources: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Tags:
languages

Reader Comments Read all comments (2)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

I think that they should record the language before they die because if they dont the language dies and the culture dies

cornelio of TX 8:11PM February 23, 2010

If the people can't speak Ubyx, then let them learn English.

Luther of IL 2:56PM February 25, 2009

Cartoons

advertisement

Debate Club

Was 2011 One of the Worst Years for the U.S. Government in American History?

Experts debate where 2011 ranks among Washington's worst years.

Latest Video

Thomas Jefferson Street Blog

It’s Washington’s Birthday—Not Presidents' Day

It's time for Obama and Congress to give Presidents’ Day back to George Washington.

Cuba Is Reforming, But Not Nearly Enough

Cuban officials exaggerate the extent of reforms being enacted in the Castro brothers' Cuba.

Rick Santorum Will Spell Doom for Republicans in November

If it nominates Rick Santorum over MItt Romney, the GOP will lose the White House and elections at all other levels.

Obama's Energy Policy Isn't 'Crony Capitalism'

A majority of the energy companies who have received funds under Obama are thriving

Michigan Is a Must-Win ... For Rick Santorum

Winning in Michigan is at least as important to Santorum's campaign as it is to Romney's.

Why the Catholic Contraception Controversy Is So American

Politically speaking, the contraception controversy is a quirk of the way we pay for healthcare.

The Upside of the Racist Hoekstra Ad

In this era of nasty political rhetoric and advertising, the public will draw the line at something brazenly racist.

Barack Obama's Budget Is Even Worse Than It Looks

If Obama's budget for FY 2013 is adopted as written, the federal budget would never balance again.

advertisement

  1. Intel Official: Iranian Missiles Could Hit Nearby U.S. Targets, Europe
  2. CBO: Longest Period of High Unemployment Since Great Depression
  3. The 50 Best Careers of 2011
  4. 7 Things That Turn Off Employers During an Interview
  5. 9 Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out