If you thought language extinction was just about unspoken dialects, think again. One of the world’s oldest languages, N|uu, has experienced a dramatic decline and is now teetering on the brink of extinction. This language isn’t just any language – it is unique, rich in clicks, and a carrier of immense cultural heritage from the San people of southern Africa.
The sole guardian of the N|uu language is Ouma Katrina Esau. She is the last fluent speaker of this historic tongue, making the language the most endangered in the world. This is not just a statistic; it’s a narrative about cultural loss and resilience.
N|uu originated from the ǂKhomani people in the southern Kalahari, at the junction of modern-day Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The historical journey of N|uu is marred by persecution under colonial rule, which pushed it and its speakers to the margins of society.
In the 1990s, efforts led by Dr. Nigel Crawhall and supported by the United Nations aimed to revive the language. Initially, 25 speakers came forward, but by December 2021, only Esau remained.
Currently, African Tongue, a linguistic consultancy, has joined forces with speakers of endangered languages in southern Africa to develop both creative and educational resources that aim to preserve these precious tongues.
Dr. Kerry Jones, who heads the consultancy, shared insights with IFLScience about the reclamation of N|uu. She highlighted the 90s as a pivotal era when people began to openly reclaim their identities and heritage through language.
The barriers erected during colonization, which demanded passports and identification and disrupted the free movement and unity of communities, played a significant role in the fragmentation of the language’s speakers.
Recognizing the urgency of preserving N|uu, Esau has taken proactive steps by teaching her granddaughter and working with Dr. Jones to create a digital N|uu dictionary. This project is not just about language preservation but also about empowering the next generation.
Since May, there has been a resurgence of interest in the language, with Esau visiting local schools to teach the children the basics of this click language. This educational initiative marks a significant step toward revitalizing N|uu.
Dr. Jones expressed optimism about the future, noting the synergy between Esau and her granddaughter Claudia, who, though not fluent, is literate in N|uu. Their combined efforts provide a bridge between the oral traditions and the modern written world, essential for the language’s survival.