Most people can name a few endangered animals. But endangered languages? There are over 3,000 of them and one of them evolved alongside reindeer herders in some of the most remote landscapes on Earth.
This week, we take you to Russia's Far East, recommend a book that will change how you think about words, and share a song that proves you don't need to understand the lyrics to feel the music.
How do you build a language around reindeer?
In the far northeast of Russia, beyond the reach of most maps, the Koryak people have spoken their language for centuries. A language built around reindeer herding, coastal hunting, and survival in extreme conditions.
Koryak grammar is wildly different from anything in Europe. Words are built by stacking smaller elements together, and the sound system includes contrasts most English speakers can't even hear at first.
But with Russian dominating schools and public life, fewer young Koryak people are learning it. The language that once described an entire way of living is slipping away.
Read the full story:
Books We Recommend
Ever wondered why some words feel heavier than others? Or why "home" and "house" mean the same thing but don't feel the same?
Through the Language Glass by Guy Deutscher explores how different languages shape the way their speakers see the world, from colour perception to spatial reasoning. It's accessible, surprising, and full of moments that make you rethink everything you assumed about how language works.
If you've ever suspected that learning a new language changes more than just your vocabulary, this book proves it →
Music Without Borders
"Papaoutai" by Stromae is a Belgian-French track that blends electronic beats with raw emotion.
The title is a contraction of "Papa, où t'es?", "Dad, where are you?", and the whole song explores absent fatherhood through simple, repetitive French.
For language learners, it's perfect: the lyrics use everyday vocabulary and short sentences, but the repetition and rhythm make the meaning stick.
Even if you don't speak French, the music video tells the story on its own.
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