FYI. This article was seen on
http://www.culturalcommons.org/newsdetail.cfm?ID=14463 (thanks to a Google
alert). It was originally published on page 4 of Pretoria News
http://www.pretorianews.co.za/ on February 21, 2005 ... DZO
Linguists fear loss of languages
February 21 2005 at 10:33AM
Almost half the world's spoken languages are dying out at a dramatic rate, the
Pan South African Language Board has said.
Abathwa and Seroa are only two of the African languages that have already become
extinct.
PanSALB believes days, such as International Mother Tongue Day being celebrated
on Monday, are the last line of defence for these languages. The day,
celebrated since 1999, aims to highlight the plight of dying languages.
On Monday the PanSALB joins forces with the UN Education and Science Committee
to celebrate its drive to promote multi-lingualism and develop the official
South African languages.
"The emphasis will be placed on languages that were previously marginalised,"
the board said.
As part of the celebrations, a two-day exhibition is being held in the Pretoria
city hall featuring the works of authors such as Zakes Mda who have published
in their mother tongue.
"Languages represent a reflection of humanity's cultural diversity," said
PanSALB spokesperson Phillipine Masemola.
"The Language Board aims to preserve that diversity for future generations." -
Staff Reporter.
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