Languages can vanish when communities decline, but some have been brought back through determined efforts to preserve culture and history.
1. Hebrew
For centuries, Hebrew was primarily used as a religious and literary language rather than an everyday spoken language.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, language revival movements helped transform Hebrew into the modern spoken language used by millions of people today.
2. Cornish
Cornish was once widely spoken in Cornwall, England, before declining as English became dominant.
By the late 18th century, it was considered nearly extinct as a native language. Revival efforts later brought it back into schools, cultural events, and modern communities.
3. Māori
The Māori language of New Zealand declined significantly during the 20th century as English became more dominant.
Language immersion schools, broadcasting, and government support have helped increase the number of speakers and preserve Māori culture.
4. Hawaiian
The Hawaiian language nearly disappeared after decades of declining use and restrictions on teaching it in schools.
Beginning in the late 20th century, revitalization programs introduced Hawaiian-language education and helped create new generations of speakers.
5. Manx
Manx, spoken on the Isle of Man, was declared extinct as a first language after the death of its last native speaker in 1974.
Recordings, written materials, and community programs helped revive the language, and it is now taught and spoken again.
6. Wampanoag
The Wampanoag language of Native American communities in New England disappeared from everyday use for generations.
Modern language revival programs have used historical documents, including early translations, to teach new speakers and reconnect communities with their heritage.