Arin – The language that has been extinct for over a century
A language becomes extinct in a continent or in a country when there is no longer anyone who can speak it. This normally happens when there are no older people …
Read MoreAuthor: Beaumont
Archi – Surviving linguistic isolation
Customary law and religious beliefs are tightly held among the Archi and even define public opinion. Archi is a Caucasian language spoken in Charodinsky Rajon, in the Republic of Russia. …
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American English : Is it a language under ruin?
What effect did the Harry Porter movies and books have on American English? Some linguists believe that it resulted in British English words being introduced into American English. Even though …
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Alsatian – A language to learn when going to France
What do Nobel Peace Prize philosopher Albert Schweitzer, Nobel-prize-winning chemist Jean-Marie Lehn, rally driver Sébastien Loeb and pastry chef Pierre Hermé, have in common? They are all from Alsace. Alsace …
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Ainu – Help to revive this dead language
Finally, after 140 years, the government of Japan lifted the ban that resulted in the extinction of the Ainu language and marginalization of Ainu people. Japan banned the Ainu language …
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Ahtna – The language with a few speakers and a few words
When you go out to buy an English dictionary, it is common to see the publisher boasting on the cover that it “includes more than 30,000 words.” In contrast to …
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Aghul: Take a trip to Dagestan to learn this endangered language
Despite its decreasing popularity, the local media in Dagestan have managed to perform a literary experiment. This resulted in the production of a local newspaper in Aghul. Aghul is a …
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Afar: learn it at your own risk
If you do not mind the risk of your testicles being cut off, learn Afar and then visit the Afar delta in Ethiopia. Despite being one of the most dangerous …
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The Unwritten Law of Discipline and Order of the Adyghe
A woman has the power to force disputing families to reconcile. Men cannot continue disputing in the presence of women. Guests, even if they are your enemies, must be treated …
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Abkhaz: the language that caresses the ear and expresses all emotions
“The Abkhazian language is very flexible and sonorous; it gives not only the solemn tones, but it caresses an ear with the tenderest expressions. Both terrible sounds of the nature …
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