More Organizations that are Fighting Language Extinction
- rubymmshaw
- Aug 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 3, 2025
If you're interested in learning more about endangered languages, here are some other great resources that are doing important work in the fight against language extinction. If you know of other organizations that should be included in this list, please let us know.
Founded in 2010, the Endangered Language Alliance (ELA) is a non-profit dedicated to documenting Indigenous, minority, and endangered languages, and to supporting linguistic diversity in New York City and beyond. ELA works as a hub for linguists, language activists, speakers, volunteers, and others working in collaboration to sustain linguistic diversity.
The Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR) was created in 2002 along with the Endangered Languages Documentation Programme in response to a dramatic decline in linguistic diversity. It was made possible by a generous donation from Arcadia, the charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin. ELAR is a digital repository for preserving multimedia collections of endangered languages from all over the world, making them available for future generations.
The Endangered Languages Documentation Programme (ELDP) was also founded in 2002 by the Arcadia Fund, with a goal of supporting the documentation and preservation of endangered languages globally. The ELDP gives grants to individuals to document endangered languages worldwide, and provides funding for documentation projects led by linguists, linguistic anthropologists, and community members with skills in linguistic documentation.
Founded in 2005 by linguist Gregory D. S. Anderson, the mission of Living Tongues is to ensure language survival for generations to come. They support speakers who are safeguarding their languages from extinction through activism, education, and technology. Their research teams document endangered languages and cultural practices, publish scientific studies, run digital training workshops to empower language activists, and collaborate with communities to create language resources that will serve as a basis for language revitalization.
The Endangered Languages Project (ELP) uses technology to document, preserve, and teach endangered languages, and gives users access to language resources as well as the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on endangered languages. Users can also play an active role in putting their languages online by submitting information or samples in the form of text, audio, or video files.
Founded in 2000 by the Volkswagen Foundation, DOBES documents languages that are in danger of becoming extinct within a few years’ time. The DOBES Archive contains language documentation data from a great variety of endangered languages from around the world. Their resources include information on anthropology, sociology, education, cognitive science, environmental science, public policy, and more, and have been uploaded by both users and researchers.
The Language Conservancy (TLC) works in partnership with dozens of communities to revitalize their languages and also partners with registered non-profits such as TLC Canada, TLC Australia and Consorcio de Lenguas en Riesgo. TLC uses groundbreaking technology to build language resources and expand the language revitalization process, allowing them to document and revitalize an increasing number of languages more efficiently and productively.
Founded in 1945, UNESCO uses education, science, culture, communication, and information to foster mutual understanding and respect for our planet. They are also developing the World Atlas of Languages to document the different aspects and features of language status in countries and languages around the world. Every language is marked according to its type, structure, and affiliation, its situation, state, and status and, finally, its functions, users, and usage.
In partnership with Indigenous, minority, and refugee communities, 7,000 Languages creates free online language learning courses and materials. They offer approximately 80 courses in 46 languages, and are working to add more.
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