Our Scans · (ZY.4.16) Linguistics · Weekly Summary

• Post-independence, India kept English as a link language for administration and education, partly because of linguistic diversity and partly because the new elite-educated in English-medium schools-saw it as a ticket to global opportunities. RealShePower
• The demand for dubbing and subtitling has never been higher, particularly in linguistically diverse regions like APAC and Africa, where consumers expect brands to speak their language - literally and figuratively. Blogger
• By enabling AI to speak and reason in Nigeria's indigenous languages, EqualyzAI is preserving linguistic heritage and unlocking economic and educational opportunities for millions. Businessday NG
• The Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak initiative will introduce digital Indian language textbooks in schools and colleges, promoting linguistic diversity and accessibility in education. Ambitious Baba
• Since linguists estimate that there are more than 7,000 languages spoken on earth today, much of what gets written in one language will only get translated poorly into another, if it gets translated at all. UMass Amherst
• Users globally could enjoy AI-generated content in their native languages, breaking down linguistic barriers and making technology more accessible. Analytics Vidhya
• Linguistic diversity is under increasing threat as more languages vanish. StudyIQ
• While challenges persist, the recognition of the value of linguistic diversity and the dedication of communities, educators, and researchers offer hope for the continued vitality of Japan's diverse dialects. GradesFixer
• Linguists have stated that half of the world's languages could disappear by 2100, with Irish categorised as 'definitely endangered' by Unesco. The Big Issue
• Across the former Soviet Union, where over the past century Russian became the lingua franca at the expense of the various indigenous languages, the various peoples there are fighting what might be described as a postcolonial linguistic fightback against Moscow's cultural imperialism. UnHerd
• 40% of the world's 6,700 languages are in danger of disappearing, which means a loss not only of linguistic diversity but also of social, political and cultural diversity. CCCB
• Language loss is occurring unevenly across major linguistic regions of the world, with Indigenous languages in northeast South America, Alaska to Oregon, and in northern Australia at highest risk. CU Boulder Today
• Given the cultural and linguistic diversity among Asian subpopulations, a strategy of partnering with language-concordant health care professionals, as well as improving strategic outreach to Asian communities, could help enhance knowledge about and interest in vaccine trials. JAMA
• Future BMW iX and i4 models will be powered by computer vision, computational linguistics, AI cloud, and 5G. Yahoo
• The Ukrainian Eurointegration Platform will support displaced Ukrainians, focussing on women and young people, and operate as a platform to develop their expertise in a number of areas including sociology, applied linguistics, psychology, entrepreneurship, innovation, tech and smart urbanism. Loughborough University
• Due to the wide range of languages spoken in Australia, a strong opportunity exists for voice AI to connect with culturally and linguistically diverse Australians in a language or specific dialect that is most familiar to them. CRN Australia
• Keeping Serbian phonetic spelling, especially of Jewish names like Rozencvajg, is both defamiliarizing for the reader used to a different spelling and deeply expressive, a reminder that compatriots in different linguistic settings will develop and be labeled in different ways. Los Angeles Review of Books
• The widespread adoption of Kiswahili across Africa has been viewed by some linguists and African language advocates as a threat to other African languages. Global Voices
• UNESCO, during the observance of the day, expressed worry that linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear globally. NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Last updated: 27 June 2025