A language that is worth saving has a large community of functional speakers. The language should be currently passed on, even if it is not being passed as effectively as is it could be. Ideally, the language is deep rooted in history. This proves that the language has some enduring quality worth saving. If the language has a written form already available, then the likelihood of it being effectively preserved and used in the future increases.
The attitude of the speakers towards the endangered language is very important. An aspect of a language "worth" saving is that its speakers have a positive attitude (or a positive attitude can be created) towards the language. Linguists may find it nearly impossible to effectively save a language without non-speakers who display a willingness to learn and speakers who display a willingness to pass it on. Saving a language is one thing, but linguists must ensure the language has potential for modernization and every day usage. A language should not be saves simply to put it on a pedestal to be admired, as many suggest is the case with Latin. The geographic location of the language is not of much importance, as long as the resources are available and the language has potential "worth." Arguably most important, if the language contains large amounts of knowledge (especially pertaining to the natural world) it should be preserved no matter what the conditions. This information is vital to the progress of society and the loss of such knowledge is almost always irreversible.
Low feasibility and low practicality sums up a language not "worth" saving. This is the case when speakers of the language are few and isolated. If a language is deprived of constant communication, efforts to save such a language will go to waste. If the geographic location is difficult to reach, one must ask: is it worth the danger? Irreversible negative attitudes held by speakers towards the language due to social or political reasons also constitute a language that may not be salvageable.Interested in what some people are doing to save these languages? Check this out!
I think this is very well written. You did a good job of responding to the prompt in a thorough manner. I think the way in which you went about setting up criteria for saving languages was very practical and well explained. You certainly have a strong presence as an author. While I would caution you to avoid blanket statements and generalities, I must compliment you on the quality of this post. Well done!
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