The Michif language, an endangered Métis language born in the early 1800s, is rapidly disappearing. So too are a variety of other spoken languages linguists predict will disappear during this century. Can we keep the Michif alive and why should we care?

Dr. Nicole Rosen, an assistant professor in the University of Lethbridge's Department of Modern Languages, will address these and many more questions at today's Women Scholars Speaker Series event, 3 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballroom A.

Born in the early 1800s along the Red River in Manitoba, the Michif language is a mix of Cree, Ojibwe and French. After over a century of persecution, residential schools, poverty and dissent, the Michif language has been ravaged to a point where there are only a few hundred Elder speakers remaining.

We know that once children no longer speak a language, its disappearance is just a matter of time, and that this is not an isolated case of a language potentially dying out. Some linguists predict that up to 90 percent of today's spoken languages will disappear during this century. What can we do to ensure the Michif language does not disappear? Does technology help or hinder? And why should we care?

Rosen began her fieldwork on Michif phonology in 1999, and has been involved in language planning and revitalization with the Manitoba Métis Federation and Louis Riel Institute since 2001. In 2007 she was awarded a SSHRC Aboriginal Grant called Word-building in Michif to, among other things, develop an online Michif dictionary in collaboration with the Manitoba Métis Federation.

This Women Scholars Speaker Series event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Wine and cheese will be served with the lecture, which will be followed by a discussion period.