Gauging Endangerment

Page Index

• Fishman's Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale

Fishman's Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale

The level of endangerment of a language can be gauged using Fishman's Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale. Endangerment ranges from stage 1, where a language is used at upper governmental level, to stage 8, where language norms must be re-established. Priorities in language documentation vary according to a language's placement on this scale.

Weak Side	Stage 8	So few fluent speakers that community needs to re-establish language norms; often requires outside experts (e.g., linguists).
	Stage 7	Older generation uses language enthusiastically, but children are not learning it.
	Stage 6	Language and identity socialization of children takes place in home and community.
	Stage 5	Language socialization involves extensive literacy, usually including non-formal L1 schooling.
Strong Side	Stage 4	L1 used in children's formal education in conjunction with national or official language.
	Stage 3	L1 used in workplaces of larger society, beyond normal L1 boundaries.
	Stage 2	Lower governmental services and local mass media are open to L1.
	Stage 1	L1 used at upper governmental level.