The article discusses the alarming potential extinction of 1,500 languages by the end of this century, with English, the dominant global language, considered an 'exterminator' of smaller languages. However, it notes that no language is eternal, as highlighted by the historical decline of Latin and Egyptian. Linguists, including Martin Haspelmath, emphasize the unpredictability of language evolution influenced by migration and technology. While English thrives today, its future is uncertain amidst complex social and technological shifts, raising questions of when and how languages may fade.
Migration is a major driver of language change, as is technology, though the two can counteract as well as amplify each other. Experts agree on this.
No language has yet proved eternal. Language evolution may be influenced critically by factors like migration and technological advances, demonstrating their complex interaction.
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