World’s Most Endangered Language Has Only One Person Left Alive Who Can Speak It [ See Full Details ]
A language that has existed for more than 20,000 years is on the brink of extinction. N|uu, the world’s most endangered language, has only one fluent speaker left: Ouma Katrina Esau.
N|uu, pronounced with a distinctive click sound between the ‘N’ and the ‘uu,’ is a click language derived from the San people, the indigenous hunter-gatherers of southern Africa. The language originated from the ǂKhomani people of the southern Kalahari, a vast savannah region on the borders of modern-day Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
N|uu has a tumultuous history marked by suppression and near-eradication. Due to the language being primarily spoken and not written, there is scant documentation of its historical use. The arrival of the British Empire in the 19th century brought severe repercussions for the ǂKhomani people. The colonizers often beat or even killed those who spoke N|uu, driving the language underground as people became too fearful to use it publicly.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that efforts to revive N|uu began in earnest. Dr. Nigel Crawhall, a sociolinguist, spearheaded initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations to unearth and preserve the endangered language. These efforts led to the discovery of 25 individuals who claimed fluency in N|uu. However, by December 2021, Ouma Katrina Esau was the only remaining fluent speaker.
Ouma Katrina Esau, often affectionately called “Ouma” (meaning grandmother), has dedicated herself to preserving N|uu. Despite her advanced age, she tirelessly works to teach the language to younger generations. She has established a small school in her home where she teaches N|uu to local children, hoping to keep the language alive.
Esau’s work is not without challenges. The rarity of fluent speakers and the language’s intricate sounds make it difficult to learn and teach. However, she remains determined, believing that preserving N|uu is crucial to maintaining the cultural heritage of the ǂKhomani people.
The plight of N|uu has garnered international attention. Linguists, cultural preservationists, and organizations like the United Nations are working together to support Ouma Katrina Esau’s mission. Documentaries, linguistic research, and educational programs are being developed to raise awareness and facilitate the learning of N|uu.
Technological advancements also offer new avenues for preservation. Digital recordings of Esau speaking N|uu are being made, creating valuable resources for future learners. Online platforms may eventually offer courses or interactive modules to teach the language more broadly…..See_More
