In Afghanistan, only 100 or so people speak the Tirahi language, which is "critically endangered," according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In the U.S., only about 200 speak Mesquakie-Sauk, a Native American language. By the end of the 21st century, half the world's 6,000 languages may disappear with the advent of globalization — a fact that's prompted an exhibit at Root Division, "Living with Endangered Languages in the Information Age." Thirty artists — including sound artist Daniel Konhauser and multidisciplinary artist Pantea Karimi — address the phenomenon in the exhibit, curated by Hanna Regev. A free performance and panel discussion, "Explorations into the Rise and Fall of Sign and Artificial Languages," includes choreographer Gregory P. Dawson and media artist Kadet Kuhne, as well as panelists Penny Nii, a book artist and Stanford University research scientist; Eric Theise, an app developer and experimental filmmaker; and Weidong Yang, founder and director of the Kinetech Arts collective. For every participant in this exhibit, words take center stage.
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