I think I had read somewhere that about 25 languages die each year around the world. That's one every two weeks. And while it seems like a natural transition when the world is becoming more of a 'global village', and where homogeneity seems to be the goal, it does seem quite sad. Losing these old languages is a loss for humanity's diversity and breadth.
Nee ho MA (transliteration). I don't mean to be contentious, but I regard the extinction of dialects or languages as a move away from the Tower of Babel. While there is short-term regret, even sadness, in the long run I think the unification of language is a good thing. I suspect that in future generations humans will be speaking some dialect of Chinese. Si chen.
I changed my signature. The old one was too ridiculous.
This is truly sad news. When something wonderful like this dies out and is really irreplacable it is truly a huge loss for the world and posterity. I hope this dialect was meticulously recorded, achived and written out. Rest in Peace, old friend!
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