Half of the world's 7,000 languages are at risk of extinction, prompting linguists to document the last speakers of several dying languages.
“David and Greg will circle the planet to hear the last whispers of a dying language.”
Synopsis
Half of the world's 7,000 languages are at risk of extinction, prompting linguists to document the last speakers of several dying languages.
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Synopsis
Greg Anderson and David Harrison travel to remote regions, including Siberia, India, and Bolivia, to document languages nearing extinction. They record the last speakers of Chulym, Chemehuevi, Sora, and Kallawaya. Their work emphasizes the threat posed by dominant global languages and social factors like economic instability. Anderson and Harrison interact with local communities to gather insights on the role of language in identity and cultural preservation. Filming took place over three years, culminating in a release at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet linguists Greg Anderson and David Harrison
- See endangered languages like Chulym and Kallawaya
- Find out about language extinction rates worldwide
Did You Know
- The film was completed in August 2007 after three years of filming.
- Greg Anderson and David Harrison were chosen as protagonists in 2003.
- The film received a $520,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
- Half of the world's 7,000 languages are going extinct, according to the film.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main protagonists in The Linguists?
The main protagonists are Greg Anderson of the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages and David Harrison of Swarthmore College.
What languages are documented in The Linguists?
The film documents several moribund languages including Chulym in Siberia, Chemehuevi in Arizona, Sora in Odisha, India, and Kallawaya in Bolivia.
How long did it take to film The Linguists?
It took three years to film The Linguists, during which over 200 hours of footage were collected.
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