本世纪末1500种语言或不再使用

By the end of this century, an estimated 1,500 languages will have disappeared forever across the world, according to a new study.

澳大利亚国立大学的最新研究表明，到本世纪末，据估计全球有1500种语言将不再被使用。研究结果发表在《自然生态与进化》杂志上。

Unveiling the findings in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, researchers warned that of the world's 7,000 recognized languages, around half are endangered. The study was led by the Australian National University.

研究人员警告说，在全世界7000种公认的语言中，约有一半目前处于濒危状态。

The study found that greater road density was linked to higher risk of endangerment.

研究发现，路网密度越大，语言消失的风险就越大。

Greater endangerment was also associated with higher average years of schooling, suggesting that formal education contributes to loss of language diversity.

平均受教育年限更长也会使语言消失的风险加大，这表明正规教育导致了语言多样性的丧失。

The study found that unless there is intervention, the world could lose at least one language per month.

研究表明，如果不立即干预，全球每个月或将至少有一种语言消失。

The authors recommended "urgent investment" in community-based programs like bilingual education programs and language documentation.

研究报告作者建议"紧急投资"双语教育项目和语言文献等社区项目。