Two indigenous languages dying every month: UN Assembly President.

GENEVA -- Despite UN efforts throughout this International Year of Indigenous Languages to highlight the daily disappearance of mother tongues across the world, the President of the General Assembly (PGA) has warned that "challenges persist nonetheless".

"Every fortnight, at least one indigenous language vanishes from the face of the earth," spelled out Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. "This translates into two extinct indigenous languages each month".

Turning to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the President pointed out that the 2007 milestone calls on States, among other things, to enact policies and laws aimed at preserving and strengthening indigenous languages.

"The status-quo is indeed grave", he asserted, painting a picture of only 4,000 surviving indigenous languages, spoken by a mere 6 per cent of the total world population. Muhammad-Bande said it was "equally noteworthy", that 15 per cent of the poorest people on the planet are indigenous.

Why indigenous languages matter

Indigenous traditions have served as a "dependable means of acquiring knowledge" which can be transmitted across generations, he stated, citing examples of herbal medicine, food processing and settling disputes within communities. And although linguistic diversity is essential to preserve humanity's common heritage, which is critical to its survival, it is imperiled with every language that goes extinct.

"With the death of languages, the indigenous people who speak them lose a significant part of their identity", he lamented.

Keeping the languages alive

Among the markers of progress are the creation of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples, the Interactive Informal Hearing with Indigenous Peoples, and the sensitization of the international community to their plight.

Muhammad-Bande said the year is itself evidence of the UN's commitment to preserve endangered languages. He urged the world to...