Endangered languages still have much to say | Mady Kung | TEDxLFHS

Many languages are currently listed as endangered. Student Mady Kung discusses why this matters, and what the world is really at risk of losing.
Mady is a junior at Lake Forest High School. She enjoys school a lot, but in her free time, she also loves creative writing, public speaking, running, and meditating. Mady has always been fascinated with how language - which is something that we constantly hear and absorb as soon as we come into this world - allows us to both share and understand complex ideas. Because of this, the language(s) that we speak will inherently shape the way that we perceive things because it is the way in which we make sense of the world around us.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@arcticpolyglots]

“Each time a language dies, another flame goes out, another sound goes silent.” ― Ariel Sabar

[@FollowerofDuck]

You brought up some really good points, and not many people are aware of the importance of different languages

[@ronaldonmg]

If the entire world would have adopted a neutral shared secondary language for international use, that would reduce the pressure on small ethnicities to switch over to big languages. Until something even better comes along, I support Esperanto for that role.

[@fabiolamurillo7095]

This is just what I needed! i have to write my own Ted talk for my English class. This is amazing! also im from Costa Rica so i really enjoyed that one example :)

[@fabiolamurillo7095]

Every time I come back to watch this video I learn something new!! You are so amazing! I have to present next Tuesday and let's just say I'm not that excited........ how do you get over the fear of public speaking? Whenever I have to speak in front of big groups I start to stutter. It's soo true how when someone is bilingual, I am bilingual, but whenever I try to translate a thought in one language to the other the words don't mean the same, one might have more emotion or just more power. If you have any good tips or recommendations that you could share with me I would be soo grateful!!!!!!!

[@fabiolamurillo7095]

Also what grade were you in when you gave this Ted talk?

[@fabiolamurillo7095]

Thank You so much for all this! You have no idea how much this means to me!! I'm actually using a few quotes from your speech! After watching this video my perspective changed, I was going to talk about language loss, however, I got so interested in endangered languages that I changed the whole thing because you inspired me!! thank you so much! I can't wait to tell my friends that I got my tips from a professional! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

[@fabiolamurillo7095]

* I will quote you *** thats what I meant to say!! srry

[@jorcaiba]

Hi, Mady! An interesting talk, thanks. I'm interested in the example of the language in Costa Rica. What is its name? Where did you get the example from (is there any litterature)? And is the butterfly's name spelled Astraptes fulgerator? Thanks a lot!

[@paulkenneally789]

General point,there are 6,300 languages in the world (approximately),lecturer indicates 7,000 are endangered.
Better research is desirable and not just National Geographic.(Ethnologue?).
I do concede the general point.

[@tokyocrane2884]

This is a really good Ted Talk

[@Hyblup]

Has this anything to do with natural selection?

[@arooster2903]

Why does it matter? i generally wanna know

[@ronaldonmg]

because some things worth saying cannot be expressed in the "bigger" languages and because some (maybe crucial) knowledge is not available in other languages.

[@supergamer2353]

Is it cultural appropriation if I ( a white person) uses the word to describe the kitten?

[@ronaldonmg]

no

[@vvalencia10yearsago31]

Nope