LEAST SPOKEN LANGUAGES
Ever wondered how our ancestors used to explain themselves through signs? How all these languages came into existence and who formed them? And so many other questions whose exact answers might never be known. We now are living in a world where we have more than 7117 spoken languages according to a research of Ethnologue (published by SIL International). Though this number is constantly in flux and beyond that languages themselves are in flux. There are some languages that we don't have any idea about are spoken in some remote parts of the world, say the language spoken by the people of North Sentinelese Island.
Here are 6 languages that are currently considered as endangered languages.
DUMI
Dumi is a minority Kiranti Language (Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in Nepal and India). Based on the field survey, this language is roughly spoken by about 7,600 people as of 2011 census, most of them living in the hilly area of Northern Khotang district of Nepal. There are three main dialects of Dumi, namely Khambari, Lamdija and Makpa.
NJEREP
Njerep or Njerup is native to Cameroon and is an almost extinct language. According to a survey in year 2000, only six speakers of Njerep remain. Out of these six, only one is fully conversant. All these speakers are very old. The youngest speaker is about 80 years old. It seems highly unlikely that this language will survive past this generation. The latest survey indicates that only 4 speakers of Njerep are remaining. This language is only used for the purpose secrecy now. Another language, called Mvop from the same language family of Mambiloid is used for casual conversataion.
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LEMERIG
Lemerig, also know as Leon, Lem, Sasar or Bek, is also on the verge of extinction. As of latest survey, only 2 fluent speakers of Lemerig remain in Vanuatu; a country made of several islands off the coast of Austrailia in the Southern region of Pacific Ocean. Lemerig used to be a widely spoken language on the Vanua Lava island and in Torba province if Vanuatu. Lemerig used to have four different dialects when it was in wide use. With near extinction of Lemerig, its dialects have also gone extinct.
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CHAMICURO
Chamicuro is a traditional language in Peru. It's also know as Chamicura or Chamicolo. There are only two native speakers of the language today. Spanish being the most common language in Peru, Children prefer to speak Spanish. This is why Chamicuro is not getting passed on to the next generation. But the speakers of the language have developed a dictionary for Chamicuro.
TAUSHIRO
Taushiro is also an endangered language in Peru. The other name for the language is Pinchi or Pinche. Only one fluent speaker of the language remains out of the ethnic population of 20. It doesn't seem that the language will revive. Taushiro follows Verb-Subject-Object word order. Amadeo Gracia Gracia is the sole remaining speaker of Taushiro. In 2017, Peru's Ministry of Culture, working with Amadeo, created a database of 1,500 Taushiro words, 27 stories and three songs.
ONGOTA
Ongota is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken in a village at west bank of the Weyt'o River in southwestern Ethiopia. UNESCO's 2012 reports states that there are only 12 individuals, out of a total ethnic population of 115, who can speak the language fluently. The rest of the people have adopted Tsamai language. Marriage with people of other communities is the main reason for the decline of Ongota. Ongota is also being learnt by a professor from Ethiopia's capital city of Addis Ababa in Addis Ababa University. So this may lead to revival of the language. The word of Ongota is Subject-Object-Verb.
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