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How can digital technology support endangered languages and signed languages?

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Man working on a laptop at a desk in a modern office, with a transparent world map and digital financial charts superimposed, illustrating business globalization and technology. — Cultural globalization Globalization has been driven by advances in technology.

Digital technology plays a vital role in supporting both endangered languages and signed languages by providing new avenues for documentation, preservation, and accessibility.

For endangered or "sleeping" languages, technology empowers speakers to easily create, share, and promote digital content in their native tongues. This capability allows communities to maintain and revitalize their linguistic heritage, countering the pressures of globalization that often favor dominant languages. By leveraging digital platforms, speakers can foster cultural identity and ensure their languages remain active in contemporary contexts.12

Regarding signed languages, digital infrastructure has been essential for increasing access to content. Historically, signed languages like American Sign Language (ASL) faced significant suppression in educational settings, where oralist methods often dominated. Today, digital tools help bridge these gaps by providing visual-gestural communication resources that were previously unavailable. This technological support aligns with the cultural model of deafness, which recognizes signed languages as central to the unique identity and social organization of the Deaf community.134

Ultimately, these digital advancements serve as critical tools for linguistic diversity, helping to preserve the world's rich array of languages and ensuring that signed languages receive the recognition and accessibility they deserve.1