A linguist on New York City's endangered languages, and how to preserve them before they're gone

From communities around the world to the streets of Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, humanity's thousands of languages have followed the paths of their migrant speakers.  But as many of those languages grow increasingly endangered, linguists and language activists are racing to document their existence.

Linguist Ross Perlin co-directs the non-profit Endangered Language Alliance. He's also the author of the book "Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues." 

Perlin is hosting a talk Wednesday afternoon with the New York City Department of Records and Information Services and the Municipal Archives. He spoke with WNYC's Morning Edition host Michael Hill.