The World Atlas of Languages recognizes approximately 8324 languages that have been spoken, signed, or otherwise documented academically. Today, around 7000 of these languages remain, but many fail to realize that 41% of languages are endangered. Despite the waning number of speakers, preserving languages that are at risk of extinction is necessary for cultural diversity, scientific and linguist research, decoding historical literature and documents, and protecting the heritage of native speakers. With endangered language translation services, businesses, non-profits, government entities, and other organizations are empowered to connect with speakers of all languages while playing a key role in linguistic preservation.
Below, explore an interactive map highlighting the world’s endangered languages. Each pin indicates a language in its primary country that is at risk of extinction. Visualizing the sheer volume of languages included
*Hover over a pin to view the language or click to view the full language profile.
Table of Contents
Language Families of the World
As depicted in the map, endangered languages are found across the globe and have significantly fewer speakers than popular living languages. Despite this, many of them are interconnected and are subcategories of larger world languages. Linguists can identify hundreds of language families where several share common origins, such as:
Indo-European Family
The world’s largest language family, the Indo-European group is also comprised of the most speakers, an estimated 46% of the global population. This family includes:
- English
- Hindustani
- Russian
- Spanish
Sino-Tibetan Family
The second largest language family, these languages of East Asia are spoken by 20% of the world’s population. Examples include:
- Cantonese
- Hakka
- Mandarin Chinese
Niger-Congo Family
Third in line is the Niger-Congo language family. 6.9% of the world’s population, mostly located in Africa, speaks these languages which include:
- Shona
- Swahili
- Yoruba
Afroasiatic Family
The fourth family, spoken by about the same amount of people, is the Afroasiatic group, which includes:
Semitic Languages
- Arabic
- Hebrew
Sahara Languages
- Berber
- Hausa
Austronesian Family
This family is spoken by 5.5% of the world’s population and includes:
- Malagasy
- Māori
- Samoan
Dravidian Family
- Tamil-Kannada
- Telugu
Language Isolates
There are also numerous language isolates, languages that have yet to be connected to other languages, so they do not belong to a language family. A few examples include:
- Ainu (Japan)
- Basque (Europe)
- Burushaski (Pakistan)
- Purépecha (Mexico)
- Zuni (New Mexico)
The Value of Linguistic Diversity and Endangered Language Translation Services
Many common world languages such as Spanish, French, and Chinese continue to thrive throughout different language families, but linguistic diversity is immensely important. This is because language is more than the words that people speak. It is a representation of culture, heritage, and history. Preserving endangered languages also preserves the identity of those who are native speakers or descendants of native speakers. Likewise, it allows historians, linguists, and scholars to have a deeper understanding of documents, historical events, and cultural norms. Through endangered language translation services, we raise awareness of the at-risk language, support native speakers, and embrace the rich cultural heritage that has existed throughout human history.
What Can Be Done to Protect Endangered Languages?
Endangered language translation services are one of the greatest and most effective ways to connect with native speakers and aid in preserving their culture. When an organization invests in these services, they also reap several benefits including improved customer engagement, loyalty, and brand awareness. In addition to this, learning these languages, supporting community efforts, forging partnerships with other businesses or communities who speak the language and embracing international collaborations are all helpful in language preservation.
Which Languages Are Extinct?
Sadly, many languages have already become extinct throughout history. Some of the most notable include ancient languages like Sumerian, Hittie, and Akkadian. Indigenous languages like Tasmanian and Beothuk, along with the colonial languages Taino and Yaghan have also been lost. While it’s difficult to provide exact figures on how many languages have been met with extinction due to limited historical records, it is estimated that there have been hundreds. By 2100, linguists estimate that as many as 1,500 known languages will no longer be spoken.
What Endangered Language Translation Services Are Best for Businesses?
The language needs of any organization will vary widely based on the services and products they offer as well as who their target audiences are. For organizations that wish to invest in endangered language translation services as part of their corporate social responsibility strategy some of the best options include Hawaiian, Louisiana Creole, Sicilian (Italy), Irish Gaelic (Ireland), Breton (France), and North Frisian (Germany).
Learn More About Endangered Language Translation Services
ASTA-USA is home to an extensive network of subject matter expert translators and linguists who understand the importance of language preservation and cultural nuances. Inquire now or give us a call at 1.866.446.1860 to learn more about translating your important materials from any language into any other languages.