ENDANGERED LANGUAGES: A СULTURAL CRISIS

Аннотация

Endangered languages represent a critical cultural crisis, as each lost language means the disappearance of unique worldviews, traditions, and indigenous knowledge. This article examines the causes of language endangerment—such as globalization and marginalization—and its impact on cultural identity. It also highlights global and community efforts to preserve linguistic diversity. The study calls for urgent action to protect these languages as essential parts of humanity’s cultural heritage. Key words: endangered language, endangerment factors, linguistic homogeneity, language degradation, language nests, language diversity, global revitalization. Around the world language is more than just a means of communication in the complex and rich fabric of human society. It is the living storehouse of cultural continuity, ancestry, and identity. Knowledge systems, beliefs, worldviews and the collective experiences of communities are all encoded in language. However, the rapid and widespread extinction of languages is a serious and frequently disregarded catastrophe facing humanity in the 21st century. Thousands of minorities and indigenous languages are disappearing, frequently without record or preservation, as globalization picks up speed and dominant languages multiply. This worldwide problem signifies the breakdown of centuries-old customs, knowledge systems and the basic foundation of cultural diversity-not just a loss of vocabulary. An endangered language is one that faces extinction, mostly as a result of dwindling native speakers. Four steps are used by UNESCO to categorize endangered languages: 1. Vulnerable-youngsters still use it, but only in specific situations. 2. Not taught to children as a mother tongue, it is unquestionably endangered. 3. Spoken only by older generations, it is severely endangered 4. There are few speakers left, most of whom are old, making it critically endangered. Almost 3,000 of the roughly 7,000languages that are now spoken worldwide are listed as endangered, and hundreds more are in danger of 117 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference becoming so. Experts believe that one language disappears every two weeks, which may seem shocking. By the end of the century, more than half of the world’s languages may have vanished if this rate continues unchecked. Language endangerment factors. A complicated process, linguistic endangerment is influenced by a variety of interrelated social, political, economic, and cultural factors. Such as: a) Globalization and linguistic hegemony: smaller languages have been marginalized as a result of the dominance of global languages, such as English, Spanish Chinese, and French, which are driven by worldwide trade, media, education and technology. Younger generations are shifting their language because linguistic homogeneity is sometimes viewed as beneficial form an economic and social standpoint. b) Urbanization and migration: people give up their native tongues when they relocate from rural to urban areas or across international borders in search of better integration, work, and education. c)Language policies and education systems: Many national curricula exclude indigenous or minority languages while favoring official or dominant languages. Language degradation is accelerated because children are frequently disciplined or dissuaded from speaking their mother tongues in class. d)Stigma and social pressure: Minority languages are occasionally interpreted as signs of poverty and backwardness. In order to protect their offspring from social rejection or financial hardship, parents may decide not to pass them on. 3.Case studies of endangered and revived languages: Ainu (Japan): Less than 10individuals speak the Ainu language, which is spoken by the native Ainu of Hokkaido. Cultural prejudice and government integration initiatives brought it dangerously close to extinction. Language instruction, Ainu cultural centers, and participation in public schools are examples of recent revitalization initiatives. Yuchi (United States): Once common in the Southeastern United States, Yuchi is a linguistic isolate with no known relations. With fewer than five fluent speakers today, intergenerational learning and immersive “language nests” are the main focuses of revival initiatives. Welsh (Wales): Previously in danger of going extinct, Welsh has been brought back to life with the help of the government, strong educational regulations, and bilingual media. In addition to being a required topic in schools, Welsh is now spoken by more than 20% of the population. 118 CURRENT APPROACHES AND NEW RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCES International scientific-online conference Hawaiian: Previously prohibited in schools, Hawaiian has experienced a resurgence since the 1980s.Its resurgence has been greatly aided by Hawaiian- language immersion. Southern African Khoisan Languages: Known for their click sounds, these languages are so