Search engine giant Google has launched an initiative to save 3,054 endangered languages worldwide through its philanthropic arm the Google.Org.
Google.Org focuses on developing technologies to address humanitarian challenges, as well as assists other organisations through investments, grants and any other assistance they may require.
Through this organisation, Google has since identified 3,054 languages across the world, recognized by experts as endangered. It is estimated that the languages represent 50 percent of the world’s overall languages and that by the year 2100, they would no longer exist — should nothing be done about it.
The Endangered Languages project, as an online resource, aims to record, allow access to, and share samples of and research on the listed endangered languages.
It will also allow users to share advice and best practices for those working to document or strengthen languages under threat.
The languages listed include many across Africa as well, including Sesotho (South Africa), Ngwaba (Nigeria) and Sanye (Kenya).
Although the website will be used to exchange information about the languages, it could also go a long way into helping the people interested in speaking and writing in African languages as the audio and video samples of the languages will be made available online.
The project is open to anyone who wants to participate and help stop language extinction.
