Language is more than just a tool for communication—it carries the history, wisdom, and identity of entire cultures. Yet, of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages, nearly 3,000 are Indigenous, and many are disappearing at an alarming rate. When an Indigenous language vanishes, a unique way of understanding the world is lost forever.

Why are indigenous languages disappearing?

Indigenous languages face multiple threats:

• Colonization & forced assimilation – many indigenous communities were historically punished for speaking their native tongues.
• Globalization & urbanization – younger generations often prioritize dominant languages (like English, Spanish, or Mandarin) for economic opportunities.
• Lack of documentation – some languages have no written form, relying solely on oral tradition.

UNESCO estimates that one indigenous language dies every two weeks.

Why should we care?

1. Cultural heritage & identity

Each language holds:

• Traditional knowledge – medicinal plants, ecological wisdom, and survival techniques passed down for generations.
• Unique worldviews – concepts that don’t exist in other languages (e.g., the Māori word “whakapapa”, meaning ancestral lineage and connection to land).

2. Scientific & environmental insights

Many indigenous languages contain:

• Detailed classifications of nature – the Sami people have hundreds of words for snow and ice, crucial for Arctic survival.
• Sustainable practices – Amazonian tribes use language to describe biodiversity in ways science is only now discovering.

3. Linguistic diversity = cognitive diversity

Different languages shape how we think. Losing them means losing:

• Alternative problem-solving approaches
• Poetry, songs, and stories that can’t be fully translated

How can we help preserve them?

• Support indigenous-led education – bilingual schools where children learn their heritage language alongside a global one.
• Use technology – apps, AI, and social media can help document and teach endangered languages.
• Promote cultural exchange – learn a few words, listen to indigenous storytellers, or support language revitalization projects.

Final thought

A world with fewer languages is a world with fewer colors. Preserving indigenous languages isn’t just about the past—it’s about ensuring a richer, more diverse future for everyone.

What can you do today?

• Learn a greeting in an indigenous language (e.g., “Kia ora” in Māori, “Yá’át’ééh” in Navajo).
• Support organizations like Cultural Survival and many other.