Endangered languages
Russia is an enormous country with a great number of nationalities living in it. Although almost all of them speak Russian language, many ethnic groups still have their own native languages. ‘Still’ is used as many of these rare languages are on the verge of extinction. The loss of native languages leads to the destruction of communities and cultures. According to UNESCO research (2010), there are 116 IAE endangered languages. The languages at most risk are Eastern Mansi (Konda Mansi), which is nearly extinct, Aleut with 5 speakers, Central Selkup (Narym Selkup) with 5 speakers, Southern Selkup (Ob Selkup) with 5 speakers and Copper Island Aleut (“Mednyy Aleut”) with 10 speakers. People and local officials try to prevent extinction of their mother tongues: they teach it at local schools, inspire people to speak these languages, organize different events devoted to preservation of their cultures, traditions and languages. Native languages of ethnic minorities are also protected by the law about peoples’ languages in Russian Federation. There it is written that Russian government favors the development and preservation of ethnic languages, bilingualism and multilingualism on the whole territory of Russian Federation.
The USA is the 4th largest country in the world and as well has groups of people whose native language is endangered. In accordance with the same UNESCO research, in the United States there are 137 languages at risk. For instance, Aleut (Unangany; 150 speakers), Central Sierra Miwok (3 speakers), Chemehuevi (Ute-Chemehuevi; 3 speakers), Chinook Jargon (Chinuk Wawa; a few speakers), Coeur d'Alene (4 speakers) languages, etc. are critically endangered. Mostly Native Americans’ languages are under the threat of extinction as the number of native bearers, i.e. people in tribes, is very small. Personally, I believe that the most known official document about preservation of languages in the USA is Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act signed by President George W. Bush in December 2006. It is named for Esther Martinez who was a linguist, a Tewa storyteller and worked to protect her mother tongue. This document was written to help keep Native American languages alive launching some immersion programs where these endangered languages are used. For example, the University of Utah has its own program called Shoshoni Language Project. It is framed to preserve cultural and linguistic heritage of Shoshoni people.
Ethnic organizations
Both in Russia and the USA there are many ethnic organizations which help to teach and preserve ethnic cultures, traditions and languages. Let me make some examples.
As for Russia, there is Moscow House of Nationalities which is the center of ethnic-cultural development of Muscovites establishing conditions for gratification of national-cultural inquires. They give lectures, publish books and articles, and set up conferences and round work tables dedicated to problems of ethnic minorities. Moreover, they organize art exhibits, art projects, competitions, festivals fairs and auctions, produce videos and films. Furthermore, in Saint-Petersburg an organization called Saint-Petersburg Chuvash national-cultural center Sespel Mishi was set up in 1994. It as well provides lectures, support local history studies connected with the history of Chuvash people, and organize performances of folk ensemble Narsbi. One more example is Tatarlar in Surgut. This association has its own Tatar school, helps with arrangement of Tatar stars tours, publishes newspaper has its own ensemble Sandugach and organizes many events.
In the USA National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) should be noticed. They struggle to support economic, social, educational and political quality of life of all American citizens and eliminate racism. This association funds Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics program that helps African American high school students to achieve high academic and cultural goals. As for Asian-Americans, they have the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans which is a coalition of several national organizations in the United States. It deals with civil rights, education, health, housing and economic justice, and immigration. Hispanics have their own organizations. For instance, American Society of Hispanic Economists which helps this particular ethnic minority group to get trained in, work and get promoted in an economic sphere. With regard to Russians, there is Russian American Medical Association which, how we can see from the title, supports Russian medics in the USA by launching special projects and cooperation with hospitals in US and overseas.