7.7 Spatial Patterns of the World's Languages

Activity 1 — Read the region graph

Syllabus link: 7.7.3 · languages by region · graph interpretation

Study the pie chart below (Figure 7.7.1), then answer the questions. It shows the approximate share of the world's living languages by region.

Which two regions together hold the most of the world's languages?
Roughly what combined percentage do those two regions make up?
Europe has many speakers but a small slice here. Explain, in one sentence, why.

Activity 2 — Compare two places

Syllabus link: 7.7.3 & 7.7.6 · Papua New Guinea & Australia

Complete the comparison table from the study page.

	Papua New Guinea	Australia (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander)
Approx. number of languages
Why so diverse / what changed
Main driver of the pattern
One current issue or response

Activity 3 — Explain endangerment

Syllabus link: 7.7.5 · endangered languages

In a short paragraph, explain why about 40% of the world's languages are endangered, and what is lost when a language disappears. Use at least one real place named on the study page. Note both the threat and revitalisation.

Activity 4 — The Australian language context

Syllabus link: 7.7.6 · Australia

Write 3–4 sentences responding to the prompt. Use figures from AIATSIS (≈250 pre-1788 → ≈120 today) and at least one revitalisation example.

Prompt: "Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages show both the loss and the revival of linguistic diversity." Discuss.

Activity 5 — Key concepts

Syllabus link: geographical concepts

For each concept, write one sentence linking it to this topic.

Space (uneven distribution of languages):
Environment (terrain & isolation in PNG):
Interconnection (migration, trade, colonisation):
Change (endangerment & revitalisation):

Take it further — resources

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