The Hans Rausing Endangered Languages ProjectThe Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project   The Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project

Endangered Languages

Languages are always changing but in many cases the life of a language ends. In many areas of the world, economic, military, social and other pressures are causing communities to stop speaking their traditional languages, and turn to other, typically more dominant, languages. This can be a social, cultural and scientific disaster because languages express the unique knowledge, history and worldview of their communities; and each language is a specially evolved variation of the human capacity for communication.

Today, there are about 6,500 languages and half of those are under threat of extinction within 50 to 100 years. Responses to this problem include local language maintenance and revival programmes, and language documentation. See the links below and right for information about documentation projects supported by the Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project (HRELP). Great Andamanese (India) Daohua, Wutunhua (Tibet) Ös, Middle Chulym (Russia (Siberia)) Haisla, Henaaksiala (Canada) Abui, Klon, Teiwa (Indonesia) Yan-nhangu (Australia) Mmani (Guinea, Sierra Leone) Shangaji (Mozambique) Bayot (Senegal) Australian Sign Language (Australia) BogoN (Ghana) Koyi Rai (Nepal) Olrat, Qatareu, Togla (Vanuatu) Southern Tujia (China) Barupu (Papua New Guinea) Maku'a (East Timor) Rongga (Indonesia) Apurina (Brazil) Ofayé (Brazil) Mondé, Puruborá, Mekens, Ayuru, and Xipaya (Brazil) Takana and Reyesano (Bolivia) Vurës (Vanuatu) Jawoyn (Australia) Sanduan Province (Papua New Guinea Moluccan languages (Indonesia) Eastern Penan (Malaysia) Vedda (Sri Lanka) Tundra Nenets (Siberia) Archi (Daghestanian) Goemai (Nigeria) Iquito (Peruvian Amazon) Chorote, Nivacle and Kadiweu (Paraguay) Urarina (Peru) Aleut (Alaska) Uspanteko, Sakapulteko (Guatemala)

Selection of our currently funded major projects


   Awarded 2003    Awarded 2004    Click map to see details