As we enter 2008, do you know that more than 50% of the 7,000 languages spoken in the world may disappear? That less than a quarter of those languages are currently used in schools and in cyberspace? Never before has our humanity witnessed such a dramatic decline in our linguistic and cultural diversity.
The United Nations has therefore proclaimed 2008 the International Year of Languages. UNESCO, which has been entrusted with the task of coordinating activities for the Year, is determined to fulfill its role as lead agency. Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, offers a couple solutions to the crisis the dying languages in the world: "By encouraging and developing language policies that enable each linguistic community to use its first language, or mother tongue, as widely and as often as possible, including in education, while also mastering a national or regional language and an international language. Also by encouraging speakers of a dominant language to master another national or regional language and one or two international languages. Only if multilingualism is fully accepted can all languages find their place in our globalized world."
As language teachers, we are reminded to increase our activities "to foster respect for, and the promotion and protection of all languages" in the new year and beyond.
To read Mr. Matsuura's message in its entirety, click here.
Click here to learn more about the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages.
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