My sister told me about a conference where indigenous Californians discussed efforts to keep their languages alive. Many of the languages were carried by just one elder and sometimes an apprentice.
One young apprentice was interviewed by a reporter who asked, “How does it feel to be spending your life being the only person to keep this language alive? “
The apprentice replied, “This language won’t die. More than ever, not in my minute.”
(for more, see her article in “California Coast & Garden.” [Lowry. Autumn 2002; volume 18 #3])