Last speaker of ancient language of Bo dies in India
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- leahl
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The last speaker of an ancient language in India's Andaman Islands has died at the age of about 85, a leading linguist has told the BBC.
Professor Anvita Abbi said that the death of Boa Sr was highly significant because one of the world's oldest languages - Bo - had come to an end.
She said that India had lost an irreplaceable part of its heritage.
Languages in the Andamans are thought to originate from Africa. Some may be 70,000 years old.
The islands are often called an "anthropologist's dream" and are one of the most linguistically diverse areas of the world.
Professor Abbi - who runs the Vanishing Voices of the Great Andamanese (Voga) website - explained: "After the death of her parents, Boa was the last Bo speaker for 30 to 40 years.
"She was often very lonely and had to learn an Adamanese version of Hindi in order to communicate with people.
"But throughout her life she had a very good sense of humour and her smile and full-throated laughter were infectious."
Professor Anvita Abbi said that the death of Boa Sr was highly significant because one of the world's oldest languages - Bo - had come to an end.
She said that India had lost an irreplaceable part of its heritage.
Languages in the Andamans are thought to originate from Africa. Some may be 70,000 years old.
The islands are often called an "anthropologist's dream" and are one of the most linguistically diverse areas of the world.
Professor Abbi - who runs the Vanishing Voices of the Great Andamanese (Voga) website - explained: "After the death of her parents, Boa was the last Bo speaker for 30 to 40 years.
"She was often very lonely and had to learn an Adamanese version of Hindi in order to communicate with people.
"But throughout her life she had a very good sense of humour and her smile and full-throated laughter were infectious."
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existentialist
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One down the drain, thousands more to go. The world will be a lot more peaceful and have a lot less misunderstandings if we move towards one language.
- 2 years ago
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existentialist
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Confucius
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once a language is down to one speaker, there's no real way to save it. languages die with their last speakers every day. its sad, and interesting that this was one of the oldest languages, but this happens a lot.
- 2 years ago
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Confucius
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idealist
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this is the future......damn
- 2 years ago
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idealist
