Our languages are foundational to our identities. When one dies (which happens at a rate of one language every two weeks) all humanity loses one more tool in our toolbox of different ways of looking at the world.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, language revitalization is happening all around us if we but pause to look. Through its International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022\u20132032), UNESCO is helping create a worldwide conversation.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d argue the book is not just for children. It sheds light on how language connects us, how it opens our perspective, and how it links past, present, and future. The book\u2019s message is for all of us\u2014every language matters.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s how we at Transparent Language advocate for languages. Leading with the belief that every language matters. And investing in as many as we can.<\/strong><\/p>\n We are proud to donate our technology to 7000 Languages<\/a>, a non-profit organization working to empower communities around the world to teach, learn, and sustain endangered and indigenous languages.<\/p>\n So far, we\u2019ve partnered to create and host courses in 30 indigenous languages<\/a> from all corners of the world, from South America to the Caucuses to First Nations, and beyond. Those courses are available to the communities who create them, but also patrons of thousands of public libraries<\/a> across North America, Europe, and Australia.<\/p>\n August 9th<\/sup> marks the U.N. International Day of the World\u2019s Indigenous Peoples. In the spirit of \u201cmore voices,\u201d how will you use your voice in your community to amplify the importance of language?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contributed by Lorie Roule, Senior Executive at Transparent Language<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What does it mean to be a language advocate? What are we even advocating for? The best way I\u2019ve heard it put: \u201cmore voices.\u201d More voices. That\u2019s what we need to celebrate and increase multilingualism. Our languages are foundational to our identities. When one dies (which happens at a rate of one language every two…<\/p>\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2024\/07\/what-makes-us-human.jpg\")
One such voice in that conversation: linguist and children\u2019s author Victor D.O. Santos and his marvelous illustrator Anna Forlati.\u00a0His latest illustrated book, What Makes Us Human<\/a><\/em>, selected by UNESCO as the official book for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, asks us what it is that makes us human.\u00a0His answer (spoiler alert): language.\u00a0The book has already been published into 22 languages around the world, including two Indigenous languages: Mapudungun (Chile) and H\u00f1\u00e4h\u00f1o (Mexico).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/language-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2024\/08\/Aug-9-UN-Indigenous-Peoples-Day-Blog-cover-2-350x184.png\")