Endangered Language Program
Across the globe, children in countless cultures are losing the language of their parents and grandparents. As each new generation becomes ever more isolated from its past, its ancestral language slips farther out of reach—endangered and at risk of not surviving. As many as 50 to 90 percent of the world's 6,800 languages may be extinct within this century.
Rosetta Stone® has partnered with Indigenous groups around the world to help preserve their language assets with Rosetta Stone software specifically designed to revitalize these at-risk languages. Scroll down see locations and descriptions of Rosetta Stone Endangered Language projects.
Rosetta Stone is currently working with the Chickasaw Nation to develop a customized program to preserve its citizens' Native language. Learn more about our Chickasaw language software .
ELP Projects
Across North America and around the world, indigenous communities are working to preserve and revitalize their languages.
Native communities who have partnered with Rosetta Stone:
Chickasaw Nation – Ada, OK
The remote Alaskan Iñupiat communities of the North Slope retain many of the traditional practices of their Arctic subsistence lifestyle. Rosetta Stone language-learning software is one more way younger generations can stay connected.
- Language: Iñupiaq (North Slope)
- Sponsoring entity: Inupiat History, Language, and Culture Division of the North Slope Borough
- Project completion date: 2013
Kahnawake Mohawk Territory - Kahnawake, QC
The Kahnawàke Mohawk community has been a leader in language revitalization since the 1970s. The first ever Rosetta Stone software developed for language revitalization is now in use in its community schools and offices.
- Language: Kanien'kéha (Mohawk)
- Sponsoring entity: Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center
- Project completion date: January 2009
Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana – Charenton, LA
The Chitimacha Rosetta Stone software development teams referenced linguistic field notes and wax cylinder recordings to continue the Chitimacha Tribe's initiative to awaken their language from its 60-year sleeping state. Now all members of the tribe, both on and off reservation, will have the opportunity to connect to their linguistic heritage.
- Language: Sitimaxa (Chitimacha)
- Sponsoring entity: Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana
- Project completion date: 2010
Iñupiat Tribe – Kotzebue, AK
The coastal and inland Kobuk river communities have both been using their respective versions for several years.
- Language: Iñupiaq (Coastal) and Iñupiaq (Kobuk/Selawik)
- Sponsoring entity: NANA Regional Corporation and Aqqaluk Trust
- Project completion date: 2007/2010
Iñupiat Tribe – Barrow, AK**
The remote Alaskan Iñupiat communities of the North Slope retain many of the traditional practices of their Arctic subsistence lifestyle. Rosetta Stone language-learning software is one more way younger generations can stay connected.
- Language: Iñupiaq (North Slope)
- Sponsoring entity: Inupiat History, Language, and Culture Division of the North Slope Borough
- Project completion date: 2011
Navajo Nation – Window Rock, AZ
Though some estimates show that Navajo is still spoken by over 100,000 persons, the decline in fluency among youger generations of tribal members is progressing at an alarming rate. The Navajo Rosetta Stone software is available for use in Navajo schools, homes and chapter houses.
- Language: Diné Bizaad (Navajo)
- Sponsoring entity: Navajo Language Renaissance
- Project completion date: 2010
Nunatsiavut communities – Nain, NL
Inuttitut Rosetta Stone software is in use in the Nunatsiavut communities and schools of Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet, along the coast of Labrador.
- Language: Inuttitut
- Sponsoring entity: Torngâsok Cultural Center, Nunatsiavut
- Project completion date: 2007/2011
Resources
Learn More About Endangered Languages
Imagine your grandchildren not speaking your language. What if you couldn't tell them the stories your grandparents had told you? Languages and the information encoded in them are being lost at an alarming rate. Some say that as many as 50 to 90 percent of the world's languages will be extinct by the end of this century.
Learn more about language endangerment
What is an endangered language? ~ (Linguistic Society of America)
Enduring Voices ~ (National Geographic Society)
Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger ~ (UNESCO)
Your Language Footprint ~ (Hans Rausing Endangered Languages Project)
