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

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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

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