Science: Saving a Language in Sierra Leone - nytimes.com

[bitasnsons]

The language being referred to in the narration as "Kim" is called "Kiimi" by its native speakers (Krim, in colonial literature). If Kiimi dies out we hope it doesn't forever bear the mutilated name "Kim" (or Krim, for that matter).

[djhassan050]

when i type sierra leone in wikipedia it shows tht its main languages are bangla and english is that true? do people rlly speak bengali and english there?

[BigPreme]

@djhassan050 There are a LOT of indians there. But the official language is English, then everyone speaks Krio which is a pidgen language. Then you have Temne and Mende which are the two largest ethnic groups.

[djhassan050]

when i type sierra leone it shows that the languages spoken are "bangla and english" is that true?

[LinkKaiba]

what's the use of keeping useless languages alive?, let them go gracefully, we are approaching an age in which the world will be considered a single society, we only need one language to communicate with each other.

[3tangle3]

@LinkKaiba yes but thats easy coming from an english speaker like you.......the world without variety is a world not worth living in....and what is useless? english is only number one as its the biggest bully won....what is english? anglo saxon bearded tribesmen mixed with norman french and vikings....just another form of communication, not even that easy to learn

[Omrmcy]

The same thing that is happening to this language is bound to happen to Sherbro, and maybe to a lesser extent Kissi.

It has already happend in to Gola and Vai..being that the only native speakers are all now in Liberia.

Mende has the power to absorb small languages around it.....yall aint know?!

[1DashMan]

I bet that lady Hannah speaks at least 10 languages, interesting piece.

[gizmogal89]

poor narration, interesting article.

[slidenote]

I want to learn Gaelic (Irish). Also at this point the Cornish language has only about 300 speakers.

[lolnetsephy]

The culture does not necessarily go with the language, and cultures are not static things nor are they meant to be. It's always sad when a language dies, but please do not patronize the cultures in Sierra Leone by assuming that the loss of a language will destroy a culture that was hundreds if not thousands of years in the making, and that will continue to grow and change as though it were its own living entity.

[sinoman2]

Good point there.

[jeliyful]

I have to disagree

when you lose a language you really do lose a culture. I notice this being bilingual that a culture is lost with language because there so intertwined together & someone can only understand that when you know more than 1 language

& yes Sierra Leone will go on as a new living entity but that is exactly what it will be .. New.. a new different culture their with a little of the old but it will be new

[lolnetsephy]

As an anthropologist with a focus in West African cultures, I think you may be misunderstanding the dynamics involved. Granted, I know more about the Baule of the Cote d'Ivoire, but even so.

For example, the Senufo are a part of the Mande speaking group, but to say that their culture has become dangerously close to that of the Mandinka, another culture, would be to say that Mexico and Spain are practically the same.

Btw, I speak 3 languages.

[ThisTubeIsFuckedUp]

let the nigger's lanluage die *rolls eyes

[brhmgrant]

I HOPE YOU ROT DOUCHBAG

[thatsMrSmileytoyou]

Hahaha ignorant white boys never learn

[LessonIsNeverTry]

The voice-over is way too dramatic.

[wildpeachatl737]

My grandfather was from Sierra Leone, this is so distressing to hear. He used to call me 'Comembo' and I always wished I knew what it meant.

You lose your language, you lose your culture. Much thanks to the linguists involved in keeping this language alive.

[brhmgrant]

sierra leone is where my ancestors come  from it sad that the language is dying

[fastjim2000]

you suck