One-third of the world’s languages are in danger of disappearing in the next few decades, and out of 77 established languages in Pakistan, 27 are at risk—UNESCO
The rapid decline of languages is a serious issue that threatens cultural diversity and historical continuity
- Pakistan must recognize the importance of its diverse languages and work toward their survival. Preserving languages is not just about words; it is about safeguarding the legacy of generations.
Aisha Khan
Every two weeks, a language dies—United Nations. When a language dies, much more than words are lost. Language is the dwelling place of ideas that do not exist anywhere else. It is a prism through which we see the world. These statements are indeed alarming and require urgent attention. There are multiple reasons why languages are dying so rapidly, and it is not just the death of a language but also the loss of culture, history, and identity, as Edward Sapir emphasized. By understanding the reasons behind this rapid language extinction, we can explore ways to preserve and help languages survive at the social level, national level, and through technology. Some reasons why languages are dying so rapidly are mentioned below.
As David Crystal highlights, a language dies when nobody speaks it anymore. When people stop using their native language in favor of a dominant language, it speeds up language extinction. One of the foremost reasons is that native speakers, seeking better jobs, education, and career opportunities, begin using the dominant language instead of their own. For example, Badeshi is left with only three speakers, while Abom, an African language, has only 15 speakers remaining. In America, 170 languages are near extinction, while in Asia, 78 languages are at risk. For social survival and better opportunities, parents encourage their children to learn and speak the dominant language. Speaking the dominant language helps children in school, allows them to mingle with their peers, and increases their chances of acceptance in society. More importantly, children develop better communication and academic skills in the dominant language, which is often seen as a necessity for future success. The priority given to languages like English for job opportunities also discourages people from using their native languages, as they see no scope for them in the professional world.
A language dies when nobody speaks it anymore. When people stop using their native language in favor of a dominant language, it speeds up language extinction
Then comes cultural assimilation and the influence of popular culture: cultural assimilation plays a major role in the decline of languages. People adopt the elite culture and its language to appear modern and be accepted in society. Take, for example, Pakistani society, where speaking English with precise pronunciation is considered a sign of sophistication. Reading English literature, watching English movies, or listening to English songs is often associated with being educated, wealthy, and belonging to the upper class. On the contrary, we keep our children completely detached from our own literature and mother tongue. The irony is that many parents take pride in their children reading foreign literature while neglecting their native literature. Exploring foreign literature is undoubtedly beneficial, as it expands one’s knowledge and understanding of different contexts and authors. However, prioritizing foreign literature at the cost of our own is alarming. Neglecting native literature means our younger generations are not introduced to their legends, history, and cultural narratives.
Language Prestige and Social Perception: the way language is perceived in society also contributes to its decline. People often strive to perfect their pronunciation and communication in dominant languages, which is not inherently bad. When speaking a language, it is important to pronounce words correctly—whether in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, or any other language, as each language has the right to be spoken in its correct form. However, if people struggle with pronunciation due to phonetic differences, they should not be mocked. Some phonemes are naturally difficult for non-native speakers, and some individuals may not want to adopt certain pronunciations. To maintain the prestige of a language, many parents choose to speak the dominant language with their children, so they develop better pronunciation and accents. This shift often leads to a decline in the number of speakers of their mother tongue, as native languages are sidelined in favor of more socially prestigious ones.
Then comes cultural assimilation and the influence of popular culture: cultural assimilation plays a major role in the decline of languages. People adopt the elite culture and its language to appear modern and be accepted in society.
Globalization and Its Impact on Language Survival
Globalization has further accelerated the process of language extinction, especially for languages that are not widely used or recognized in social contexts. English, in particular, has become the dominant language in every sphere of life, from education to business. In such an environment, speakers tend to choose languages that offer more opportunities and are more widely used. As a result, lesser-known languages become increasingly irrelevant in daily life, leading to their gradual disappearance.
Out of the many ways to preserve and promote languages, some are outlined below.
Celebrate Linguistic Diversity – Languages are like flowers, each has its own scent, shape, and beauty, reminding us of the richness of diversity. We should stop judging people based on their ability to pronounce dominant languages perfectly. Due to societal pressure, many parents discourage their children from learning their mother tongue, fearing that they will not be accepted if they do not master the dominant language. However, language and cultural diversity are natural and should be celebrated. Embracing linguistic diversity fosters harmony and tolerance, ultimately leading to a more inclusive society. By encouraging native speakers to use their language and pass it on to the next generation, we can help prevent languages from disappearing.
Implementing Language Policies in Education — State policies can play a crucial role in language preservation. One effective approach is to include native languages in the school curriculum as optional subjects. A language course can be introduced that covers all established languages in Pakistan. Through recorded lectures, videos, and other technological resources, learning these languages can be made more accessible and engaging. This initiative will give speakers of all languages a sense of recognition and acceptance. It would also encourage them to use their mother tongue, understanding its cultural and historical significance.
Read: A mother tongue Partition consumed intact: The depletion and revival of Sindhi language and culture
Establishing a National Language Authority — a dedicated language authority at the national level can work towards the preservation of all languages in Pakistan. Such an institution could document endangered languages through written records, dictionaries, and digital archives. Organize language preservation campaigns involving native speakers. Encourage linguistic research to explore the structure and evolution of Pakistan’s diverse languages.
Moreover, it will promote linguistic inclusivity at the national level, fostering a sense of belonging for all language communities. By creating such an institution, we can ensure that native languages are given the recognition and support they deserve, strengthening Pakistan’s cultural identity.
Using Technology to Preserve Languages – Technology offers powerful tools to protect and promote endangered languages. Some effective measures include developing digital archives and online dictionaries to document and preserve languages. Also, creating mobile applications for language learning to make native languages accessible to younger generations and launching social media campaigns to encourage the use of indigenous languages. With these technological advancements, we can bridge the gap between traditional languages and modern communication, ensuring their continued use and relevance.
It is evident that the rapid decline of languages is a serious issue that threatens cultural diversity and historical continuity. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Language is the most powerful instrument of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage.” Losing a language means losing a rich tapestry of traditions, knowledge, and identity. By fostering linguistic diversity, integrating native languages into education, establishing a national language authority, and leveraging technology, we can take meaningful steps toward preserving our linguistic heritage. As a nation, Pakistan must recognize the importance of its diverse languages and work toward their survival. Preserving languages is not just about words; it is about safeguarding the legacy of generations.
Read: Multilingualism, Mother Tongue and Sindhi Language
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The writer, hailing from Hyderabad, Sindh, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English Linguistics from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Currently, her primary focus is on preparing for competitive examinations, driven by her ambition to become a distinguished Civil Service Officer (CSP). Beyond her academic pursuits, she is an emerging researcher, poet, and writer with a burgeoning portfolio of essays and research articles. As a serious reader, she explores various genres from a wide range of English and Urdu literature writers. Additionally, she is serving as a teacher.
