Technologies for endangered languages : The languages of Sardinia as a case in point

The world's cultural diversity is at risk because of the current process of language desertification. Few places in the Mediterranean can boast the language diversity of Sardinia -a territory of 24,000 km2 filled with languages and dialects. According to Moseley (2010) -and a similar scenario is described by Simons and Fennig (2017)-, all the local languages (Algherese Catalan, Gallurese, Sassarese, Sardinian and Tabarchin Ligurian) are 'definitely endangered' and being replaced by Italian. Language policies at the official level do not seem to be able to revert the dramatic situation with these endangered languages, and their preservation is mostly left to the commitment of individuals, often with little recognition or help. As a result, the Sardinian languages live in a situation of diglossia, being mainly associated with folkloric matters which, in turn, reinforces a perception of uselessness. Nonetheless, studies published by the Sardinian government show that society considers that the languages of Sardinia must be protected, and some interesting grass-roots actions related to technologies have been carried out. This article will describe recent examples of digital products which have been translated into or developed in some of the languages of Sardinia, mostly by volunteers and activists, with the aim of exploring how endangered communities can use technologies to contribute to the preservation of their language