The Most Endangered Language Has Just One Living Speaker, And She’s Trying to Save It (Page 3 ) | September 12, 2024

Although N|uu has evolved with time, like any other language, it retains great significance from a history and culture that has almost been forgotten.

“During colonialism and apartheid, Ouma Katrina and other (indigenous) groups were not allowed to speak their languages, their languages were frowned upon, and that is how we got to the point where we are with minimal speakers,” said Lorato Mokwena, a linguist from South Africa’s University of the Western Cape. “It’s important that while Ouma Katrina is around, that we do the best that we can to preserve the language and to document it.”

The Click Language

N|uu is called a click language because of its unique click sounds. In fact, one primary click exists in very few languages. Linguists call the sound a “bilabial plosive” or in layman’s terms: “a kiss click”. Because this tongue was primarily spoken and not written, there is little documentation, making it difficult to track it historically and discover more about it.

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