The Small Languages in the Large World of Technology

The future of small languages in the world of technological changes is of great interest, and particularly to engineers and the technical community where new concepts and technologies are invented, and where language technology development may decide the fate of these languages. A case is made for small languages and language diversity, but the issues facing the languages are discussed as well. Of particular interest is the evolution of a small language, which must keep up with changes and innovation in technology and the emergence of new words and terms. Another issue is the evolution of language technology, which may become a major factor in deciding which languages continue to exist in the coming decades and which ones face digital extinction. Icelandic is examined here as an example of a small language that has been successful in thriving alongside the larger languages, but continues to face many of the same challenges as other small languages.