speakers

@http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/languages-and-multilingualism/endangered-languages/language-vitality/ We all share the responsibility of ensuring that no languages will disappear and that all languages will be maintained and perpetuated into the future generations. The reason why we must fortify the diversity of language is, indeed, captured by a Navajo elder: **If you don't breathe,** **there is no air.**

**If you don't walk,** **there is no earth.**

**If you don't speak,** **there is no world.** (Paraphrased by Yamamoto from a Navajo elder's words, PBS-TV Millennium Series //Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World//, hosted by  David Maybury-Lewis aired on May 24,1992)

Ethnology of Languages @http://www.ethnologue.com/web.asp Fascinating to read the family tree of languages. eg: Samoa also has strong links to Wallis and Tahitian languages. Currently there are 6,909 known living languages Pacific has 1,250 languages or .1% of the world speakers Therefore the languages of the Pacific are the most vulnerable for extinction. Research shows that when a language dies so does the environment.



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 * UNESCO ENDANGERED LANGUAGES**


 * Tokelau**
 * Tokelauen -4,500 speakers left
 * (Severely endangered-language is spoken by grandparents and older generations; while the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves)


 * Cook Islands**
 * Tongareva-600 speakers left
 * (Severely endangered-language is spoken by grandparents and older generations; while the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves)
 * Rakahanga Manihiki-5,000 speakers left
 * (Definitely endangered-children no longer learn the language as mother tongue in the home)
 * Pukapukan -840 speakers left
 * (Definitely endangered-children no longer learn the language as mother tongue in the home)
 * Rarotongan- 43,000 (16800**[ NOW 12,000 -5,000 speakers]** in Cook Islands, remainder mainly in New Zealand **[58, 000]**
 * (Vulnerable-most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g., home)
 * **[Update -severe recent loss means fewer than 5% of school age chn in NZ can speak any CI language]**

Niue
 * Niuean- 14000 (1260 on Niue, remainder mostly in New Zealand)
 * (Definitely endangered-children no longer learn the language as mother tongue in the home **[only update11% of school age speakers]**


 * New Zealand**
 * Maori-70,000 Speakers left
 * (Vulnerable-most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g., home **[update only 7%- 10% now]**

by **[|**dinonz360**]** ||
 * =Pacific Languages=
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