The Extinction of Words from Use: A Critical Aspect of Balti Language Endangerment

Abstract

The current study seeks to identify extinct words from the Balti language among Balti speakers in Skardu, Baltistan. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed for this investigation. The data was analyzed based on the Language Endangerment criteria, which categorizes languages as Safe, Lesser Extinct, Less Extinct, Extreme Extinct, or Extinct. A sample of two hundred participants was randomly chosen from three educational institutions in Baltistan: 50 female participants from Women's Degree College, 50 female participants from Elementary College, and 100 male participants from the University of Baltistan Skardu. The researchers utilized questionnaires and conducted interviews to gather and validate the data. Specifically, the study examined forty Balti words among Balti language users. The findings revealed that 13 words were categorized as 'less extinct', 19 as 'extinct', and 8 as 'less extinct' based on the criteria.