4% of national languages have disappeared - UNESCO

UNESCO says nearly 4% of local languages have disappeared since 1950 in Cameroon. The findings were revealed as Cameroon prepares to join the international community to celebrate the international day of the mother tongue which holds every February 21 since 2000. Cameroon is one of the countries UNESCO classifies as a distinctive cultural density on the linguistic map of the world. More than 200 native languages are spoken throughout the 10 regions of the country.

But they are increasingly neglected in preference to the two foreign official languages, English and French. UNESCO reported that the reality could be seen on the playgrounds, markets and streets within the country. The findings also highlighted the role of the media influence and parental responsibilities towards the disappearance of many native languages. According to Unesco statistics, some 7000 languages are spoken worldwide and 280 are in Cameroon.

UNESCO officials noted that they were at a loss to realize only French and English have a legal status defined by the Constitution and used in education and everyday life. UNESCO said ever since 2000, nearly 40% of Cameroon native tongues are considered threatened with outright extinction. In less than 100 years, an estimated 500 to 3,000 languages will disappear. Yet local languages constitute according to linguists, the best vehicles for the transmission of traditional knowledge, religious and even science. Cameroon Concord's culture editor was heard murmuring privately about what will remain as our cultural base when we have lost everything.