[alecst]

On one hand, I understand that this is inevitable. No language can be spoken forever, and unless there is a reason to communicate in a language, it will evaporate. This is a natural consequence of increasing communication between nations which are searching for a standard language with which to use.

On the other hand, there is a certain emptiness associated with a language which is no longer spoken, entombed in books. My inner linguist laments the death of these obscure languages and dialects.

I won't grieve too much, for as language evolves, communication between humans is facilitated. As most people will only feel comfortable learning one, maybe two languages, why not learn the ones most spoken? Of course languages are going to "go extinct," that is the nature of their evolution: survival of the fittest.

[greml1n]

I think it is more survival of the least unfit, but I agree. I'll be happy with English, Arabic and Mandarin.

[jacquesm]

make that Spanish, Mandarin and English...