Google launches Endangered Languages Project
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 21st Jun 2012 11:17 UTC
Google While I sometimes see Dutch as an endangered language, reality is that with nearly 30 million speakers worldwide, we're actually doing pretty well. Sadly, this can't be said for the 3000 truly endangered languages of the world - nearly half of the world's total number of languages is on the verge of extinction, and with it, large amounts of human culture are in danger of disappearing forever. In collaboration with several universities and language institutions, Google has launched the Endangered Languages Project to document these languages - textually, visually, and auditorially.
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RE[5]: Sounds Good
by izomiac on Fri 22nd Jun 2012 13:53 UTC in reply to "RE[4]: Sounds Good"
izomiac
Member since:
2006-07-26

I don't mean Americans don't have any, I mean that it's a culture of assimilation as opposed to conforming to tradition. English is a mesh of numerous languages. States have more cultural identity than the nation, but that generally has minimal influence on decisions (e.g. most people would take a higher paying job in another state if they can uproot easily). This may, in part, be due to having 400 years of tradition rather than 1,000+, so it's less ingrained.

Reply Parent Score: 1

RE[6]: Sounds Good
by spiderman on Fri 22nd Jun 2012 14:42 in reply to "RE[5]: Sounds Good"
spiderman Member since:
2008-10-23

Amaricans have 10000+ years of cultural history. Pretty much all cultures evolved from trading and mixing. That someone does not care much about his land and cares a lot about money is because of his culture. American have a tradition of money loving. Some other culture consider that a bad thing. But in the american culture, being rich and proud of it is good.

Reply Parent Score: 2

RE[7]: Sounds Good
by darknexus on Sun 24th Jun 2012 18:28 in reply to "RE[6]: Sounds Good"
darknexus Member since:
2008-07-15

But in the american culture, being rich and proud of it is good.

Lol, only if you are one of the rich and powerful. If not, culturally, you are supposed to hate them. I don't, but you'd be amazed how many people will revile someone they have never even met just because he or she has a lot of money. Truth be told, most Americans these days have entitlement complexes the size of the atlantic ocean, and would rather bring others down than actually work to improve their own lives in an honest way. It's easier to bitch than to work, I guess.

Reply Parent Score: 2