Which indicators are used to assess language vitality and endangerment?

• A. Geographic area covered, GDP, population density, and climate.
• B. Number of dialects, script used, and color palette.
• C. Number of speakers, intergenerational transmission, use in education and media, and official recognition.
• D. Internet presence, mobile phone usage, tourism, and urban growth.

Answer: (C)

Language vitality and endangerment are judged by how actively a language is used and whether new generations are learning it. The strongest indicators capture both everyday use and institutional support: how many people speak it, especially across different age groups; whether children are learning and using the language at home and in the community (intergenerational transmission); its presence in education and media (schools, broadcasts, print and digital content); and whether there is official recognition or supportive policies that back its continued use. Together, these show if a language is thriving, stable, or at risk of disappearing. Other factors like geographic area, GDP, or climate don’t directly measure language use, and while dialect counts or scripts and modern visibility can matter, they don’t indicate vitality as clearly as the transmission, education/media use, and policy backing do.