It does not require interpolation with another language for expression. 2 1.6 A healthy language is not necessarily a static language and some degree of change and development is normal. However the changes that have occurred to most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages have involved the loss of all or most of the features of a living language. The committee notes that in some circumstances the slide of a language from being healthy to extinct can take as little as one generation. This inquiry was undertaken because of the widespread concern over language loss amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Language loss is difficult to regain and most of the losses that have occurred are irretrievable.
Awareness of language loss has increased markedly in the last decade spurred on by the rapidly dwindling number of language speakers of some language groups. This inquiry has looked at the extent of loss of language and language maintenance programs and the provision and resourcing of such programs. Early in this inquiry the committee had the benefit of receiving the results of an extensive survey of the extent of loss of Aboriginal languages. While Dr Schmidt's survey was quite comprehensive, the figures for language and speaker numbers are rough estimates based on the data available 4 . With this information available the committee undertook a series of consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and particularly those actively involved in language issues.