Documentary

Speaking in Tongues: The History of Language

Currently there are more than 6,000 languages spoken around the world. This five-part series traces the history and evolution of language and attendant theories and controversies while evaluating the scope of linguistic diversity, the dissemination of language, the expansion of language into written form, and the life cycle of language.

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Created By

Status

Ended

Original Name

Speaking in Tongues: The History of Language

First Air Date

April 4, 2008

Last Air Date

May 2, 2008

Seasons

1

Episodes

5

Language

English

Production Companies

Networks

Life and Death
S01E05

Life and Death

It is predicted that within a century more than half of the worlds languages will become extinct, but as languages are lost, new ones emerge naturally or are constructed. In this program, Noam Chomsky; Esperantist Thomas Eccard; endangered languages researcher Peter Ladefoged, and others provide insights into the language life cycle. Topics include constructed languages such as Esperanto, language endangerment and preservation, and the role of globalization in language obsolescence. The experts also discuss current language trends and offer their opinions on which languages may emerge as front-runners in the future.

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