Endangered and Extinct Languages: What Kids Should Know

There are over 7,000 languages spoken in the world today, but many of them are in danger of disappearing forever. According to UNESCO, around 43% of the world’s languages are endangered. That means thousands of unique ways of speaking, thinking, and connecting with culture are at risk.

In this article, we’ll explore how languages become endangered, the levels of endangerment, and some surprising examples of languages that are disappearing—or already extinct.

How Does a Language Become Endangered?

UNESCO uses a scale to describe how endangered a language is:

• Vulnerable: Still spoken by most people, but usually only at home.
• Definitely Endangered: Children are no longer learning it as their first language.
• Severely Endangered: Only older adults speak the language.
• Critically Endangered: Only grandparents or very few elders use it.
• Extinct: No one speaks the language anymore.

Now let’s look at ten languages from around the world that are endangered or extinct.

Yiddish

Yiddish is one of about 20 Jewish languages. After World War II, the number of speakers dropped sharply due to the Holocaust and displacement. Today, it is considered definitely endangered. However, some members of the Hasidic community continue to speak and teach it. There are around 1.5 to 2 million speakers worldwide.

Irish (Gaelic)

Even though Irish is the first official language of Ireland, less than 2% of people use it outside of school. The language declined during times of famine and immigration, but today, many people speak it as a second language. It’s taught widely in schools and is considered definitely endangered.

Scottish Gaelic

Scottish Gaelic is closely related to Irish and faces similar challenges. There are between 20,000 and 60,000 speakers depending on the source. It’s spoken in parts of Scotland and even in some communities in Canada. Schools are trying to keep it alive by offering classes in the language.

Hawaiian

In 1985, only 32 children on the Hawaiian Islands spoke the Hawaiian language. It was nearly extinct. Thanks to community efforts, Hawaiian is now used more often and taught in schools. It is considered vulnerable but is slowly growing in popularity again.

Manchu

Manchu was once the language of the royal court in China. Today, fewer than 20 people can speak it fluently, although millions of people are ethnically Manchu. It is critically endangered.

Kusunda

Kusunda is a rare language from Nepal. It’s often called a “mystery language” because it’s not related to any others. In 2012, only one woman was fluent in Kusunda. The tribe now mostly speaks Nepali, and Kusunda is critically endangered.

N|uu

N|uu is believed to be one of Africa’s oldest languages. Today, only one family in South Africa speaks it fluently. A member of the San community is teaching local children in hopes of keeping the language alive. It is critically endangered.

Quileute

The Quileute people lived in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Their language became widely known thanks to the Twilight book series, but most readers don’t know the language is now extinct. No native speakers are left, but the Quileute tribe is working to bring it back through school programs.

Yagan

Yagan is spoken in Chile, and only one native speaker remains. Although some people understand it, they do not speak it regularly. Yagan is considered critically endangered, and many South American indigenous languages have faced similar declines.

Latin

Latin is often called a “dead language” because no one speaks it as a native tongue anymore. But it’s still used in schools, churches, and science. Latin helped form many modern languages like Spanish, Italian, French, and even parts of English. Some believe that Latin lives on through its influence.

How Dinolingo Helps Kids Learn and Preserve Languages

Many endangered languages can be saved when children learn them and use them with their families and communities. Dinolingo offers language learning programs for over 50 languages, including several that are endangered. The platform is designed especially for kids ages 2–14, with fun videos, songs, stories, and interactive games. With access on web, iOS, and Android, and features like a parent dashboard and reward system, Dinolingo makes language learning enjoyable and effective.

Final Thoughts

Every language is a part of human history, identity, and imagination. By learning and supporting endangered languages, children can help keep stories, traditions, and cultures alive. Whether it’s Irish, Hawaiian, or any other language, it’s never too early—or too late—to start learning.

Want to explore more languages with your child? Discover fun and easy language lessons at Dinolingo.