Abstract: Language problem is closely related to education, science, culture and communication, so it has been the focus of the UNESCO. In order to solve the problem of language loss, the UNESCO and some linguists at home and abroad have done a lot of work, and achieved remarkable results. The phenomenon of languages death generally exists in human history, but nowadays the trend of global economy is widening the contact and influence among cultures and languages, which leads to the result of faster disappearance of some languages. Now language loss has eventually become a global problem and seriously affects the ecology of language and culture. This thesis describes the current language situation and analyzes various causes of endangered languages, appealing to increase people’s awareness that language protection is the common responsibility of human beings and advocating maintaining language diversity by enhancing bilingual and multilingual education.

Key words: UNESCO; endangered languages; language situation; language policies

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction.1

2. Literature Review1

2.1 Language Conception

2.2 Study Home and Abroad

2.3 Language Diversity and Language Protection

3. Language Education and Linguistic Rights.2

3.1 Official Language and Indigenous Language

3.2 Mother Tongue Based Education

3.3 Bilingual and Multilingual Education

3.4 Linguistic Rights

4. Linguistic Diversity and Language Endangerment.5

4.1 Current Situation of Language Endangerment

4.2 Causes of Language Endangerment

4.3 Strategies to Protect Languages from Diminishing

4.3.1 Increasing Social Awareness of Protecting Endangered Languages

4.3.2 Enhancing Bilingual and Multilingual Education

4.3.3 Promoting Language Policies of the UNESCO

5. Conclusion

Bibliography.

Acknowledgements