TED Talks Daily How to save a language from extinction | Daniel Bögre Udell
Nov 21, 2019
Daniel Bögre Udell, a passionate language preserver, discusses the alarming potential loss of 3,000 languages in the coming decades. He highlights inspiring community efforts to revive ancestral languages like Hebrew and Cornish, emphasizing how digital media connects younger generations to their cultural roots. Udell urges us to embrace our heritage, stating that reclaiming our languages is an empowering way to honor our identities. His insights reveal the profound connection between language, culture, and personal resilience in a rapidly globalizing world.
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Forced Language Loss
- Languages don't die naturally; people are forced to abandon them, often due to political pressure.
- Globalization can be alienating, requiring individuals to sacrifice their languages and potentially leading to the extinction of 3,000 languages within 80 years.
Hebrew Revival
- In the 1800s, amidst rising anti-Semitism, Jewish communities revived Hebrew as a means of cultural revival.
- Despite being dormant for over a millennium, Hebrew was preserved in religious and philosophical texts, enabling its resurgence and becoming a pillar of cultural sovereignty.
Cornish Revival
- In the 1900s, Cornish activists revived their dormant language using old books and plays.
- Leveraging digital spaces in the 2000s, Cornish speakers connected, organized events, and created online content, leading to its recognition in schools and media.