Concerning new research suggests more than 20 per cent of the world's languages could cease being spoken within the next 80 years. The Australian study found close to 1500 endangered languages, many of them Indigenous, are at risk of disappearing unless drastic action is taken to preserve their use.
The Australian National University study claims that of the world's 7,000 recognised languages, around half are already endangered, and 1500 could disappear completely.
The problems extends around the globe, with almost every continent home to dozens of endangered languages that may no longer be spoken by the end of this century.
The co-author of the research, Professor Felicity Meakins says the dominance of languages like English is the main cause.
One of the major findings of the study is that schooling is one of the primary drivers of language endangerment, so schooling in a regionally dominant language and so the message from this really is about bilingual education and the need to support school.
One thing there is consensus on is the need for greater funding to ensure Australia's rich linguistic tapestry continues in the future.
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