Many languages face the risk of endangerment or extinction, which makes preserving the world’s linguistic diversity a pressing challenge. The Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS) builds on Fishman’s (1991) original GIDS model and consists of a 13-level scale that assesses the vitality and endangerment of languages based on their transmission across generations, institutional support, and societal use.
This EGIDS framework is widely recognized for its comprehensive approach, providing both researchers and policymakers with a tool to evaluate language status and identify targeted strategies for preservation or revitalization. This scale ranges from 0 (International) to 10 (Extinct), highlighting varying levels of linguistic health and disruption.
The EGIDS Levels Explained with Examples
0 (International):
Languages used globally in diplomacy, science, and international commerce.
Example: English, which functions as a global lingua franca in organizations like the United Nations and in academic publishing.
1 (National):
Languages with official status at the national level, used in governance, education, and media.
Example: Japanese in Japan, which dominates formal communication and is used nationwide.
2 (Provincial):
Regional languages recognized within specific provinces or areas, with official functions but not at the national level.
Example: Catalan in Catalonia, Spain, which is used in regional government, schools, and media.
3 (Wider Communication):
Languages that serve as linguae francae within regions, facilitating communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Example: Swahili in East Africa, widely used in trade, education, and interethnic communication.
4 (Educational):
Languages with some degree of standardization and written literature but limited institutional use.
Example: Quechua in Peru, taught in schools and with a growing body of literature, though not widely used in government.
5 (Developing):
Languages transitioning from oral to written forms, often with emerging literature and documentation.
Example: Sango in the Central African Republic, increasingly used in writing and media.
6a (Vigorous):
Languages actively spoken by all generations and learned by children as a first language.
Example: Zulu in South Africa, which remains robust across generations in daily communication.
6b (Threatened):
Languages spoken by all generations but with declining numbers of child speakers.
Example: Scottish Gaelic in Scotland, where efforts are underway to promote intergenerational transmission.
7 (Shifting):
Languages no longer passed to children but still used by the parental generation and older speakers.
Example: Hawaiian in Hawaii, which has seen revitalization efforts to increase child speakers after years of decline.
8a (Moribund):
Languages spoken only by older generations, with no child learners.
Example: Manchu in China, where only a handful of elderly speakers remain fluent.
8b (Nearly Extinct):
Languages spoken by very few elderly individuals, often numbering fewer than ten speakers.
Example: Ainu in Japan, with revitalization programs attempting to preserve this critically endangered language.
9 (Dormant):
Languages with no fluent speakers but maintained as symbols of cultural or religious identity.
Example: Latin, which continues to be used in religious and academic contexts despite its status as a "dead" language.
10 (Extinct):
Languages with no remaining speakers and no living cultural connection.
Example: Eyak in Alaska, which lost its last fluent speaker in 2008, though documentation efforts continue.
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Why EGIDS Is Essential
The EGIDS framework goes beyond simply identifying endangered languages; it provides a roadmap for targeted interventions. For example, efforts to sustain a "6b (Threatened)" language might focus on revitalizing intergenerational transmission by fostering early childhood education in that language. Conversely, for "9 (Dormant)" languages, preservation may prioritize cultural documentation and symbolic use.
EGIDS also sheds light on how societal structures influence language vitality. For instance, regional languages like Swahili (3) thrive as lingua francas due to their practical utility, while languages such as Manchu (8a) struggle under sociopolitical and historical pressures.
Furthermore, the framework underscores the importance of institutional support in language survival. Languages at levels 4 (Educational) and above often benefit from government policies that promote literacy, media use, and official recognition.
Conclusion
Understanding and addressing language endangerment requires a nuanced approach, and the EGIDS framework provides a valuable lens for this purpose. By identifying a language's level of vitality, stakeholders can implement tailored strategies to preserve linguistic diversity, whether through promoting intergenerational transmission, increasing institutional support, or creating comprehensive documentation.
The EGIDS scale is a crucial reminder that the survival of a language is not just a linguistic issue but also a reflection of cultural, political, and societal priorities. Its application helps bridge the gap between research and action, fostering meaningful change for endangered and minority languages.
Bibliographical References
- Ethnologue. (n.d.). Methodology.
- Fishman, J. A. (1991). Reversing Language Shift: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations of Assistance to Threatened Languages. Multilingual Matters.
- Lewis, M. P., & Simons, G. F. (2010). "Assessing Endangerment: Expanding Fishman's GIDS." In M. P. Lewis (Ed.), Ethnologue: Languages of the World.
