Linguist works to save endangered languages in the Amazon

The Vaupés region of northwest Amazonia is home to various indigenous languages, including Desano and Siriano, both of which are currently at risk of extinction. The global landscape for languages is bleak, with more than 40% of the estimated 7,000 languages facing the prospect of disappearing within this century, according to United Nations statistics, which note that an Indigenous language is lost every two weeks. Wilson de Lima Silva, a linguist at the University of Arizona, has committed over a decade to working closely with indigenous communities in an effort to document and support the revitalization of these languages. His work is crucial for preserving cultural heritage and language diversity for future generations, as the loss of languages also signifies the loss of unique knowledge and worldviews held by these communities. The significance of these efforts is encapsulated in the book