New Ideas CityHello Museum

Ministry of Endangered Language

Cover Image:

Corroboree “The Giant” with endangered-language activist Bob Holman

Part of the Street Program

Linguistic diversity is a part of the Invisible City. New York City is said to be home of more than eight hundred languages, but they’re threatened. At our pop-up Ministry of Endangered Languages, the POEMobile will project a tribute and call to action to preserve the planet’s linguistic diversity. Speakers of foreign languages will be on hand to teach participants new vocabulary. Citizen artist volunteers will help create a performative, participatory context by inviting passersby to take a stand for linguistic diversity and pledge to protect cultural heritage.