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Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: UNESCO's Atlas of Endangered Languages: Classification and History

Cheat Sheet:
UNESCO's Atlas of Endangered Languages: Classification and History Study Guide

Origins and Early Initiatives

The *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* was the first publication by UNESCO to document endangered languages.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the *Atlas* is a significant publication, UNESCO's efforts to document endangered languages began earlier, notably with the *Red Book of Endangered Languages*, which preceded the online Atlas.

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UNESCO's involvement in documenting endangered languages commenced in 1995, following a significant meeting in Paris.

Answer: False

Explanation: UNESCO's engagement with endangered languages began earlier, with key discussions and actions initiated following the 1992 meeting of the International Congress of Linguists (CIPL) and subsequent international meetings.

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The international meeting held in Paris in 1992 was intended to diminish global awareness regarding endangered languages.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1992 international meeting in Paris, stemming from the CIPL discussions, was instrumental in bringing the issue of endangered languages to global attention and initiating actions to address it.

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The designation 'Red Book of Endangered Languages' was adopted to signify the critical status of languages, drawing a parallel with the 'Red Book of Endangered Species'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The title 'Red Book of Endangered Languages' was intentionally chosen to evoke the well-known 'Red Book of Endangered Species,' thereby emphasizing the urgent and vulnerable state of the languages documented.

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In 1995, international linguists compiled and submitted the initial reports on endangered languages to UNESCO.

Answer: False

Explanation: The initial data collection and submission of reports to UNESCO were carried out by regional experts in 1993, forming the basis for subsequent documentation efforts.

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The International Congress of Linguists (CIPL) directly published the *Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the CIPL initiated discussions that led to the *Red Book*, UNESCO was the primary body responsible for its publication and subsequent initiatives.

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Regional experts were responsible for the initial data collection and submission to UNESCO in 1993.

Answer: True

Explanation: The foundational data for UNESCO's work on endangered languages was gathered and submitted by regional experts in 1993.

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The purpose of the 'Red Book' title was to indicate that the languages listed were no longer in danger.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Red Book' title was chosen to parallel the 'Red Book of Endangered Species,' thereby highlighting the critical and vulnerable status of the languages documented.

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The International Congress of Linguists (CIPL) initiated UNESCO's actions regarding endangered languages in 1992.

Answer: True

Explanation: The discussions at the 1992 International Congress of Linguists (CIPL) were pivotal in initiating UNESCO's engagement with the issue of endangered languages, leading to subsequent actions and committees.

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What event in 1992 marked the beginning of UNESCO's involvement in documenting endangered languages?

Answer: A discussion at the International Congress of Linguists (CIPL)

Explanation: The critical issue of endangered languages was brought to the forefront and initiated UNESCO's involvement through discussions at the International Congress of Linguists (CIPL) in 1992.

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Why was the title 'Red Book of Endangered Languages' chosen for the predecessor to the Atlas?

Answer: To draw a parallel with the 'Red Book of Endangered Species' and highlight critical status.

Explanation: The title 'Red Book of Endangered Languages' was selected to echo the 'Red Book of Endangered Species,' thereby emphasizing the critical and vulnerable state of the languages documented.

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What was the role of the International Congress of Linguists (CIPL) in the context of endangered languages?

Answer: It initiated UNESCO's actions by discussing the issue in 1992.

Explanation: The CIPL's discussions in 1992 were crucial in raising awareness and initiating the international actions that led to UNESCO's comprehensive efforts in documenting endangered languages.

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What was the purpose of the international meeting held in Paris in 1992 concerning endangered languages?

Answer: To bring the topic to global attention and initiate actions.

Explanation: The international meeting in Paris in 1992 served to elevate the issue of endangered languages to global prominence and to initiate concrete actions for their documentation and preservation.

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Key Figures and Institutions

Stephen Wurm served as the director of the ICHEL when it commenced its operations in 1994.

Answer: False

Explanation: Stephen Wurm was instrumental in the creation of the ICHEL and the *Red Book of Endangered Languages*, but Tasaku Tsunoda served as the director of the ICHEL when it began operations in 1994.

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The International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL) was established in 1994 at the University of Tokyo.

Answer: True

Explanation: The International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL) was indeed established in 1994, with its base located at the University of Tokyo.

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The ICHEL's primary function is to create new classification systems for languages.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ICHEL's primary function is to collect data and facilitate the publication and updating of resources concerning endangered languages, rather than creating new classification systems.

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Stephen Wurm was instrumental in the creation of the *UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

Answer: True

Explanation: Stephen Wurm played a pivotal role in initiating and guiding the efforts that led to the creation of the *UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages* and the subsequent establishment of the ICHEL.

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Tasaku Tsunoda was instrumental in the creation of the *UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Tasaku Tsunoda served as the director of the ICHEL, Stephen Wurm is recognized as the primary figure instrumental in the creation of the *UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

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Who was instrumental in the creation of the International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL) and the *UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages*?

Answer: Stephen Wurm

Explanation: Stephen Wurm was the key figure whose efforts led to the establishment of the ICHEL and the publication of the *UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

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When and where was the International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL) established?

Answer: 1994, University of Tokyo

Explanation: The International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL) was established in 1994 at the University of Tokyo.

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Who served as the director of the ICHEL when it began its operations in 1994?

Answer: Tasaku Tsunoda

Explanation: Tasaku Tsunoda was the director of the International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL) when it commenced its operations in 1994.

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What is the function of the International Clearing House for Endangered Languages (ICHEL)?

Answer: To collect data and facilitate publication of resources on endangered languages.

Explanation: The ICHEL serves as a central hub for collecting data and supporting the publication and dissemination of resources related to endangered languages, such as the UNESCO Atlas.

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The UNESCO Atlas: Evolution and Scope

The UNESCO *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is primarily disseminated as an offline, print-based publication.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is primarily an online resource, succeeding earlier print editions. Its digital format allows for broader accessibility and continuous updates.

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The ICHEL's website is designed to present static information that is not subject to regular updates.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ICHEL's website is structured to provide prompt availability of information and is designed for regular updates, facilitating the continuous revision of data on endangered languages.

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UNESCO launched the online edition of the *Atlas of Endangered Languages* in February 2009.

Answer: True

Explanation: The online edition of the *Atlas of Endangered Languages* was indeed launched by UNESCO in February 2009, marking a significant shift towards a digital platform.

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The online edition of the Atlas encompasses a more limited scope and contains less information compared to its printed predecessors.

Answer: False

Explanation: The online edition of the Atlas offers a broader scope, covering the entire world, and contains significantly more information than previous printed versions.

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The image of the UNESCO flag signifies the organization's role in the publication of the *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger*.

Answer: True

Explanation: The UNESCO flag visually represents the organization's authority and involvement in the creation and dissemination of the *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger*.

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The 'Memory of Peoples series' is a collection of UNESCO publications focused on preserving linguistic diversity.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Memory of Peoples series' is indeed a UNESCO collection dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, and the *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is included within this series.

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The phrase 'constant updating' implies that user feedback is not a factor in the online Atlas's revisions.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'constant updating' suggests that the online Atlas is a dynamic resource, regularly revised with new information, and that user feedback contributes to this ongoing process.

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The *Red Book of Endangered Languages* is the current online publication detailing endangered languages.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Red Book of Endangered Languages* was a predecessor to the current online publication, the *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger*.

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The UNESCO Atlas is part of the 'Memory of Peoples series', which focuses on preserving cultural heritage.

Answer: True

Explanation: The *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is indeed included in UNESCO's 'Memory of Peoples series,' a collection dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage.

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What is the primary function of the UNESCO *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger*?

Answer: To list and provide information on the world's endangered languages.

Explanation: The primary purpose of the UNESCO *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is to serve as a comprehensive catalog and information resource for languages facing the risk of extinction.

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Which publication did the UNESCO *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* originally succeed?

Answer: The UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages

Explanation: The *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is the successor publication to the earlier print edition known as the *Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

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What year did UNESCO launch the online edition of the *Atlas of Endangered Languages*?

Answer: 2009

Explanation: UNESCO launched the online edition of the *Atlas of Endangered Languages* in February 2009.

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Which of the following is an advantage of the online edition of the *Atlas of Endangered Languages* over its printed predecessors?

Answer: It allows users to provide feedback for constant updating.

Explanation: A key advantage of the online Atlas is its dynamic nature, allowing for constant updating and incorporating user feedback, in addition to its broader scope and greater information volume compared to print versions.

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What does the phrase 'constant updating' imply for the UNESCO *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger*?

Answer: It is a dynamic resource regularly revised with user feedback.

Explanation: The phrase 'constant updating' signifies that the online Atlas is a dynamic resource, subject to regular revisions and improvements, often incorporating user feedback.

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The 'Memory of Peoples series' is a collection of UNESCO publications focused on what?

Answer: Preserving cultural heritage

Explanation: The 'Memory of Peoples series' is a UNESCO initiative dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, and the *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is part of this important series.

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What publication did the *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* succeed?

Answer: The UNESCO Red Book of Endangered Languages

Explanation: The *Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger* is the successor to the earlier print publication known as the *Red Book of Endangered Languages*.

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Language Endangerment Classification

The UNESCO list categorizes language endangerment into seven distinct levels.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO classification system for language endangerment comprises six distinct levels, not seven.

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According to the UNESCO Atlas, a language is classified as 'Extinct' if no speakers have been known since the 1980s.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO Atlas presumes a language is 'Extinct' if there are no longer any living speakers, specifically if no speakers have been known since the 1950s.

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A language is classified as 'Critically endangered' when its youngest speakers are elderly and speak the language only partially and infrequently.

Answer: True

Explanation: This description accurately defines a 'Critically endangered' language within the UNESCO framework, indicating that the youngest speakers are typically elderly and use the language with limited frequency and fluency.

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A 'Severely endangered' language is characterized by the parent generation speaking it fluently to children.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 'Severely endangered' language is characterized by the parent generation understanding the language but not speaking it to children or among themselves. Fluency to children is a characteristic of more vital languages.

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A language is considered 'Definitely endangered' when children no longer learn it as their mother tongue within the home environment.

Answer: True

Explanation: This criterion—the cessation of mother-tongue transmission within the home—is the defining characteristic of a 'Definitely endangered' language in the UNESCO classification system.

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A 'Vulnerable' language is one where children no longer speak it at all.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 'Vulnerable' language is one where most children still speak it, but its use may be restricted to specific domains, such as within the home. A language no longer spoken by children would be classified at a higher endangerment level.

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The UNESCO Atlas presumes a language is extinct if no speakers have been recorded since the 1970s.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO Atlas defines a language as extinct if there are no longer any living speakers, specifically if no speakers have been known since the 1950s.

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In UNESCO's classification, 'Critically endangered' languages are those whose youngest speakers are grandparents who speak the language infrequently.

Answer: True

Explanation: This accurately describes the criteria for 'Critically endangered' languages: the youngest speakers are elderly, and they use the language only partially and infrequently.

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A 'Severely endangered' language is characterized by the parent generation speaking it fluently to children.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 'Severely endangered' language is defined by the parent generation understanding the language but not speaking it to children or among themselves. Fluency to children is indicative of a more vital language.

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The main difference between 'Definitely endangered' and 'Vulnerable' languages is whether children learn the language as a mother tongue at home.

Answer: True

Explanation: This distinction is accurate: 'Definitely endangered' languages are no longer learned by children as a mother tongue at home, while 'Vulnerable' languages are still spoken by most children, albeit potentially in limited domains.

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A 'Vulnerable' language is one that is no longer spoken by children.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 'Vulnerable' language is characterized by most children speaking it, though potentially within restricted domains. A language no longer spoken by children indicates a higher level of endangerment.

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The UNESCO Atlas categorizes languages into five levels of endangerment.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO classification system for language endangerment includes six distinct levels, not five.

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A language is 'Vulnerable' if it is spoken by grandparents and older generations, but not by children.

Answer: False

Explanation: A 'Vulnerable' language is one where most children still speak it, though potentially in limited domains. The scenario described (spoken by grandparents but not children) aligns more closely with 'Severely endangered' or higher levels of endangerment.

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How many categories of language endangerment does the UNESCO list include?

Answer: Six

Explanation: The UNESCO classification system for language endangerment comprises six distinct levels.

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According to the UNESCO Atlas, what defines an 'Extinct' language?

Answer: There are no longer any living speakers.

Explanation: An 'Extinct' language is defined by the absence of any living speakers. The Atlas presumes extinction if no speakers have been known since the 1950s.

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Which category describes a language where the youngest speakers are elderly, and they speak the language only partially and infrequently?

Answer: Critically endangered

Explanation: This description precisely matches the criteria for a 'Critically endangered' language, where the youngest speakers are elderly and use the language infrequently and with limited fluency.

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What is the characteristic of a 'Severely endangered' language according to UNESCO's classification?

Answer: The parent generation understands it but does not speak it to children or among themselves.

Explanation: A 'Severely endangered' language is defined by the parent generation's understanding of the language, but their failure to transmit it to children or use it amongst themselves.

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When are children no longer learning a language as their mother tongue within the home environment, according to UNESCO?

Answer: Definitely endangered

Explanation: The cessation of mother-tongue transmission within the home is the defining characteristic of a 'Definitely endangered' language.

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A language is classified as 'Vulnerable' if:

Answer: Most children speak it, but its use is restricted to specific domains like the home.

Explanation: A 'Vulnerable' language is characterized by its continued use by most children, though potentially limited to specific domains such as the home environment.

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What is the primary domain where children might still speak a 'Vulnerable' language, according to the UNESCO classification?

Answer: Within the home environment

Explanation: For a 'Vulnerable' language, children may still speak it, but its usage is often restricted to specific domains, most notably within the home environment.

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The UNESCO Atlas presumes a language is extinct if there have been no known speakers recorded since which decade?

Answer: 1950s

Explanation: The UNESCO Atlas considers a language extinct if no speakers have been known since the 1950s, indicating a complete absence of living speakers for at least several decades.

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How does the UNESCO classification differentiate between 'Critically endangered' and 'Severely endangered' languages?

Answer: Critically endangered languages have youngest speakers as elderly who speak infrequently, while severely endangered languages have the parent generation understanding but not using the language with children.

Explanation: The distinction lies in the age and usage patterns of speakers: 'Critically endangered' involves elderly speakers who use the language infrequently, whereas 'Severely endangered' involves the parent generation understanding but not transmitting the language to children.

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What is the main difference between a 'Definitely endangered' and a 'Vulnerable' language in the UNESCO framework?

Answer: Definitely endangered languages are no longer learned by children as a mother tongue at home, while vulnerable languages are still spoken by most children, though possibly in limited domains.

Explanation: The key distinction is the transmission to children: 'Definitely endangered' languages are not learned as a mother tongue at home, whereas 'Vulnerable' languages are still spoken by most children, albeit potentially within restricted domains.

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Which of the following is NOT a category of language endangerment used by UNESCO?

Answer: Moderately endangered

Explanation: The UNESCO classification system includes categories such as Vulnerable, Definitely endangered, Severely endangered, and Critically endangered, but 'Moderately endangered' is not one of the official designations.

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What is the main difference between 'Critically endangered' and 'Severely endangered' languages in UNESCO's system?

Answer: All of the above.

Explanation: The distinction between 'Critically endangered' and 'Severely endangered' languages encompasses multiple factors, including the age of the youngest speakers, the frequency of their language use, and whether the parent generation transmits the language to children.

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Language Vitality and Transmission

Languages classified as 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered' are included in the UNESCO Atlas to illustrate the full spectrum of language vitality.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO Atlas focuses on documenting endangered languages. Languages classified as 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered,' which exhibit uninterrupted intergenerational transmission, are generally not included in the Atlas.

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A language is deemed 'Safe' if its transmission from one generation to the next is interrupted.

Answer: False

Explanation: A language is classified as 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered' precisely when its transmission across generations is uninterrupted and it is spoken by all age groups.

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Intergenerational transmission refers to the process of languages being passed down from younger generations to older ones.

Answer: False

Explanation: Intergenerational transmission refers to the crucial process of a language being passed from older generations to younger generations, typically within the family unit.

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The UNESCO Atlas includes languages that are considered 'Safe' to show the full range of language vitality.

Answer: False

Explanation: The UNESCO Atlas primarily focuses on languages facing endangerment. Languages classified as 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered' are typically not included as they do not meet the criteria for endangerment.

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Which category of languages is NOT included in the UNESCO Atlas?

Answer: Safe

Explanation: The UNESCO Atlas focuses on languages facing endangerment. 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered' languages, characterized by uninterrupted intergenerational transmission, are not typically included.

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What characterizes a language that is considered 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered' by UNESCO?

Answer: It is spoken by all generations with uninterrupted intergenerational transmission.

Explanation: A 'Safe' or 'Not Endangered' language is defined by its continuous transmission across all generations and its use by all age groups without interruption.

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In the context of language endangerment, what does 'intergenerational transmission' refer to?

Answer: The passing of a language from older generations to younger generations.

Explanation: Intergenerational transmission is the fundamental process by which a language is passed from one generation to the next, typically within the family, and its interruption is a key indicator of language endangerment.

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