It is with immense pleasure that we invite you to the 13th International Conference-cum Workshop on Endangered and Lesser-Known Languages (ELKL-13). The Society for Endangered and Lesser-known Languages (SEL), in collaboration with various departments and institutions across India, annually organizes this dedicated event focusing on language endangerment, documentation, and revitalization. This year, we are proud to partner with the Department of Linguistics, Madurai Kamaraj University, to host ELKL-13 from December 17-19, 2025.
India boasts one of the world's most linguistically diverse landscapes, home to hundreds of indigenous and lesser-known languages. However, many of these vital linguistic treasures face the dire threat of extinction due to declining intergenerational transmission, migration, socio-political marginalization, and insufficient institutional support. The loss of a language is not merely a linguistic concern; it signifies a profound erosion of cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge systems, and human intellectual diversity.
This international academic event aims to bring together scholars, researchers, and community representatives to deliberate on critical issues concerning endangered and lesser-known languages, with a particular emphasis on the linguistic landscape of Southern India. The conference will serve as a crucial platform for academic discourse and community engagement, promoting research, documentation, and revitalization of marginalized language varieties, while also addressing the sociocultural and cognitive implications of language loss.
