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

ELW 2009. Click for full-sized posterEndangered Languages Week 2009

School of Oriental and African Studies
Russell Square, London

23 - 28 February 2009

This page last updated: 22 February 2009.

There are approximately 7,000 languages spoken today and half of them are under threat from larger languages.

Endangered Languages Week 2009 presents a variety of displays, discussions, films, and workshops to provide a view of what is happening to languages and what is being done to document, archive and support endangered languages at HRELP and around the world. See the full programme.

Activities include:

  • Debate. Click for full-sized poster Languages vs species? - A debate on priorities of preservation in an endangered world.
  • Meet an Endangered Language - a series of short presentations on several endangered languages, where you can learn about where they are spoken, why they are threatened, and experience their culture - as well as learn some basic words and phrases
  • Films - a day of international films on endangered languages
  • Open Day - visit Room G3 to see a variety of displays, demonstrations, software, posters, and books from organisations involved in endangered languages activities
  • Annual Public Lecture - Bernard Spolsky Rescuing Maori: the last 40 years
  • Beliefs and ideology for endangered languages: a full day workshop

Most events are free of charge and open to anyone who is interested in endangered languages.