UNESCO: 3,000 Languages Could Die Off. Just as the reduction in biological diversity from species extinction is a threat to the ecosystem, we should be concerned about the loss of linguistic diversity. Especially if language constrains and shapes the ways we think or can think, á la the Whorf-Sapir hypothesis, is it a stretch to worry about the potential effect on of language loss on freedom of thought? I believe in the ‘weak form’ of linguistic determinism; while it is probably true that linguistic constraints don’t make us unable to conceive of certain things in certain languages, they certainly can make it easier or harder. Also consider that linguistic assimilation and oppression do not occur in a vacuum, but usually in the company of other aspects of cultural imperialism.