Why Do Languages Die?
Why Do Languages Die?
Type the missing word(s) exactly. Empty answers are not checked.
A language usually dies when people stop using it in ___.
This often happens ___, over many years.
One reason is that a ___ language becomes more useful.
In some countries, there is ___ for school, work, and government.
Then the local language stays only with ___.
Another reason languages die is ___.
Children may feel ___ about using the old language.
Some languages disappear because of war, colonization, or ___.
When a language dies, we lose ___ and a special way of thinking.
Saving a language can work if young people feel ___ to speak it.
Why Do Languages Die?
Why Do Languages Die? (Ethan)
Put the events in order (1–9). Then click Check answers. Empty items are not checked.
Ethan introduces the topic: why languages die.
He explains that a language usually dies when people stop using it in daily life (often slowly).
One reason: a bigger, more powerful language becomes more useful for school, work, and government.
Parents may teach children the official language first for better jobs, so the local language stays mostly with older people.
Another reason is migration: families move and often change the language they speak at home.
Children learn the new language fast and may feel shy using the old one; they understand it but stop speaking it.
History can also kill languages: war, colonization, or political pressure (sometimes people were punished for speaking their language).
When a language dies, we lose more than words—we lose stories, songs, jokes, and a special way of thinking.
The good news: some communities try to save languages with schools, apps, and online videos, and it works if young people feel proud.
Why Do Languages Die?
Why Do Languages Die?
Listen to the audio, then write the missing exact words. Empty answers are ignored.
Ethan says this is a ___ topic.
This often happens ___.
One official language may be used for ___.
Parents choose the big language for ___.
After migration, families may change what they speak ___.
Children learn the new language from ___.
Over time, they understand the old language, but they ___.
Some people stopped using their language to ___.
When a language dies, we lose ___.
Communities try to save languages by ___.
Why Do Languages Die?
🗣️ Why Do Languages Die?
B1 Intermediate • 1 speaker • Transcription
Hi, I’m Ethan. Today I want to talk about a sad but important topic: why languages die. A language usually dies when people stop using it in daily life. This often happens slowly, over many years. One common reason is that a bigger, more powerful language becomes more useful. For example, if a country has one official language for school, work, and government, parents may decide to teach their children that language first. They want their kids to have better jobs and more opportunities. As a result, the small local language stays only with older people. Another reason is migration. When families move to a new city or another country, they often change the language they speak at home. Children quickly learn the new language from school and friends, and they may feel shy about using the old language. Over time, they understand it, but they stop speaking it. History also plays a big role. Some languages disappear because of war, colonization, or political pressure. In some places, people were punished for speaking their own language, so they stopped using it to protect themselves. The problem is that when a language dies, we lose more than words. We lose stories, songs, jokes, and a special way of thinking. The good news is that some communities are trying to save their languages by teaching them in schools, making apps, and creating videos online. It’s not easy, but it can work if young people feel proud to speak their language.