2019: United Nations' International Year of Indigenous Languages
- Year 2019 is marked as the United Nation’s International Year of Indigenous Languages.
- Papua New Guinea has the highest number of 'living' indigenous languages in the world (840), while India stands fourth with 453.
- According to UNESCO's 'Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger', 228 languages have become extinct since 1950.
- About 10% of the languages are classified 'vulnerable', while another 10% are 'critically endangered'.
Indigenous Languages in India
- In India, five languages have become extinct since 1950, while 42 are critically endangered.
- The Central Government is implementing ‘Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India (SPEEL)’ for protection, preservation and documentation of ....

