Why Should a Dying Language Be Saved?

Abstract

As globalization leads to the extinction of many minority languages, should minority language speakers continue to preserve their language or give it up to adopt a majority language? I argue that minority language speakers should be educated in both their heritage tongue and the majority tongue of their country in order to both preserve the language and culture of their ethnic identity and provide opportunities for them in the globalized economy. After addressing the issues surrounding the conversation of dying languages, including the global response and minority mentalities, I present ideas for bilingual education and the establishment of market demand to incentivize minority language learning.