Communities developing resources and competencies for using their languages
Foundational understanding for language development work of all kinds
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SIL offers training in disciplines relevant to sustainable language development.
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SIL's dedication to language development past and present
Why is language endangerment a serious concern? The language that is spoken in the home while children are growing up expresses a people's culture, values, thoughts and world view. Loss of language is almost always accompanied by social and cultural disruptions. When a language disappears, the intangible heritage of all of human society is diminished.
Concern about language endangerment is centered on the factors which motivate speakers to abandon their language and the social and psychological consequences of language death for the community.
Those concerned about language endangerment recognize the implications for communities first and foremost. In addition, loss of linguistic diversity also impacts our knowledge of language and communications as a human phenomenon.
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