The Linguistic Iceberg: How Language Loss Can Freeze Knowledge and Cost Lives

In the vast expanse of the Arctic, the indigenous Eskimo people have developed an intricate understanding of their icy environment, a knowledge so profound that it is embedded in their language. They have, as is often cited, around 50 words to describe ice. Each term encapsulates a unique aspect of the frozen landscape, from the perilous ‘tuniq,’ denoting dangerous thin ice, to the ‘pukak,’ referring to the crystalline layer of ice resembling a field of diamonds. This linguistic richness is not just a linguistic curiosity; it is a testament to the depth of knowledge that can be encoded in language.

However, as we move towards an increasingly digital world, we are witnessing a phenomenon that could be described as a ‘loss of language.’ This is not to say that people are ceasing to communicate, but rather that the diversity of languages supported by digital tools is dwindling. For instance, popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Alexa, or Siri currently offer support for only around 20 languages. This limitation is not just a matter of convenience, but a significant barrier to the dissemination and preservation of knowledge.

Take, for example, the tragic case of Haiti. In 2010, a catastrophic earthquake struck the country, leading to a massive international humanitarian response. However, the…