Endangered languages are a constant, here in Canada. Aboriginal languages, of course. I live fairly close to a Six Nations (Iroquois) Reserve. The Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy are Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Tuscarora and Seneca and each has its own language.
I took a first course in Mohawk, some years back, and was hoping for a second. Unfortunately, it was not available, because funding had been reduced - to none, except for "endangered" languages. That was defined in this case as those with less than 1.000 speakers. I think Cayuga was the most "endangered," with only a few hundred.
I really feel it when I see lists of endangered Aboriginal languages from other parts of Canada, with 3,6 or a dozen speakers. In a few years that will be zero. People of that First Nation had hearts, intellects, meaningful lives and wisdom. And then it's gone....
I took a first course in Mohawk, some years back, and was hoping for a second. Unfortunately, it was not available, because funding had been reduced - to none, except for "endangered" languages. That was defined in this case as those with less than 1.000 speakers. I think Cayuga was the most "endangered," with only a few hundred.
I really feel it when I see lists of endangered Aboriginal languages from other parts of Canada, with 3,6 or a dozen speakers. In a few years that will be zero. People of that First Nation had hearts, intellects, meaningful lives and wisdom. And then it's gone....