Endangered languages and cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Endangered languages and cultures - Essay Example As Argenter (2005) observes, language extinction occurs through loss of its native orator. Language extinction is a development that has emotional impacts on speaking communities, more so when there is a decrease in the level of linguistic capability that orators possess in a given language variety. Eventually this development brings about extinction of a language variety due to non-existence of fluent and native speakers. There are various reasons why languages disappear. Globalization is one of them; this refers to either division of labour and global economic specialism or adoption of cultural practices that are similar across the world. Globalization is said to be the result of language decline and not the cause. Another reason of language decline is capitalism and trade. Trade does not eradicate languages more than it eradicates cultural practice. Further, trade does not usually diminish language but instead improves interchange of cultural practices and nurtures their proliferation. Traditionally, trade enabled the creation of new languages that can be used for communication between people who do not share the first language. Furthermore, political repression is also a major cause of language endangerment. The state strives to endorse one culture that is accepted nationwide thus limiting other minority languages in schools and public places or prohibiting them completely. Lastly, urbanization is also a major reason why language becomes extinct. As Brenzinger (2008) found out, urbanization is the movement from rural to urban areas. This has made people adopt other languages that are suitable to them and abandon their cultures. Above 50% of the languages globally are in eight countries, namely: Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Cameroon and Papua New Guinea. According to Cole (2011), Vulnerable, definitely endangered, severely endangered Extinct, and critically endangered are the various