A language is considered no longer in use when it lacks any native speakers. It has ceased to be transmitted to new generations, effectively disappearing from active communication. A commonly cited example includes languages once prevalent in specific regions that have been supplanted by dominant tongues, such as certain indigenous languages of the Americas.
The disappearance of a language represents a significant loss of cultural heritage and historical knowledge. Languages encode unique perspectives, traditions, and ecological understandings developed over centuries. Furthermore, linguistic diversity contributes to overall human cognitive and cultural richness. The decline of linguistic diversity can be attributed to factors such as globalization, political dominance, and economic pressures that favor widespread languages.
