This video requires the latest version of Flash Player. Click here to download. This video requires the latest version of Flash Player. Click here to download.Published October 5, 2010
Koro, a language previously unknown to linguists, has been documented in the mountains of northeastern India. Researchers with National Geographic's Enduring Voices project recorded the language—spoken by only about 800 people—for the first time.
© 2010 National Geographic
RELATED
Full Story: "Hidden" Language Documented in Remote Indian Tribe
UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT
Before this trip to a remote part of northeast India, there were 6,909 living languages known to scientists.
Now there is one more.
National Geographic’s Enduring Voices project brought linguists Gregory Anderson and David Harrison to a region of India that requires a special permit just to enter.
To reach one village where this language is spoken, the expedition team had to cross a mountain river by bamboo raft.
It would be the first known time the language would be recorded.
Arunachal Pradesh is the home of an endangered language known as Koro. It’s part of the Tibeto-Burman language family, a group of some 400 languages.
But until now, Koro was unknown to world linguists.
Only about 800 people are believed to speak it, with few under age 20.
Harrison, Anderson and Indian linguist Ganesh Murmu sat in the homes of the speakers, making recordings as people shared vocabularies and stories in Koro.
The researchers were in the region to study two poorly known languages, but in speaking to the locals, detected the third surprise language.
The scientists believe Koro may have sprung from slaves in the region, but they say more research is needed to determine precise origins.
Linguists consider half of the world’s nearly seven thousand languages endangered, threatened by cultural changes, ethnic shame, and even government repression.
But at least with the Enduring Voices project, languages like Koro can be recorded and documented for the ages.
Latest News
Trending News
-
Mystery of Deadly Volcanic Eruption Solved?
Using ice cores, geochemistry, tree rings, and ancient texts, scientists discover which volcano erupted in the 13th century with worldwide effects.
-
First Cloud Map of Exoplanet
For the first time, astronomers can forecast cloudy skies on a distant exoplanet.
-
First Face Found—On a Fish
The extinct animal's face structure could help explain how vertebrates, including people, evolved our distinctive look.
Advertisement
Celebrating 125 Years
-
Explorer Moment: Azorean Whalers
With Força, Gemina Garland-Lewis learns what it takes to be an Azorean whaler.
-
From the Stacks: Meow Mix, 1938
Not all the animals National Geographic has covered have been wild ones.
News Blogs
Connect With Nat Geo
