endangered language

A term used in LINGUISTICS for a LANGUAGE which is at risk of becoming extinct within the foreseeable future. As a result of increased survey information during the 1980s and 1990s, it is now thought that over half of the world’s languages are moribund – not being effectively passed on to the next generation. Language endangerment is followed by LANGUAGE DEATH unless the trend can be reversed through a LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION PROGRAMME. A current preoccupation is the recording of these languages before they disappear (language documentation).