Enduring Voices Project, Endangered Languages, Map, Facts, Photos, Videos -- National Geographic
Huh, boy. Normally I like to be positive and point out graphics/illustrations that do a stand-up job of communicating their point. But I just can’t get behind this visualization from National Geographic (yes, National Geographic of all places!! I think it’s safe to assume that they’re well enough established that my critique won’t faze them… haaaa.)
This one’s a real winner, folks. It’s a classic example of how flashy technology can ambush a decent graphic and drag it kicking and screaming into a deep, dark cave. I can just see the designer fresh out of his first flash class being super psyched to use all the whizz-bing-whoo-daddy-zipp-flip-crizzle tricks that are now at his fingertips. Oh, the power!
I wish I could embed it here so you could experience the pain with me, but you’ll have to follow the link below. Click on several endangered regions (when the animation finally lets you) and make sure you have your speakers turned on for the fully nauseating effect.
Links:
The offending graphic from National Geographic
The data is from: The Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages
(Incidentally, they have a funny graphic on their projects page putting the number of endangered languages into perspective)
