It’s not just the diversity of languages themselves, but also that of the writing systems that express and preserve them, that is endangered around the world. Tim Brookes, founder of the Endangered Alphabets Project, estimates that some 85% of the world’s scripts are close to extinction. To encourage the study of written language within the discipline of linguistics and to support indigenous communities struggling to revitalize their unique scripts, Brookes and the Endangered Alphabets Projects are organizing a free online event for World Endangered Writing Day on January 23, 2024. MultiLingual Magazine has more details and a registration link.

After lying dormant for most of 2023, Gursewak Bhullar’s The International Entrepreneur blog published a flurry of posts in December on cash advance and early payment apps and convenient ways to transfer money internationally. Gursewak is a native of India based in Hamburg, Germany. This is useful information, and I hope Gursewak will find the time to resume blogging more often.

Resilience has been a hot topic since the supply chain disruptions that emerged during the Covid pandemic. A recent Global Trade article examines the roles of technology and both internal and external communications as companies adapt to the inevitable logistical and regulatory problems that crop up in international trade. I’d add that the adaptability, resilience, and agility that a company develops in learning to overcome these exporting challenges also make it a far stronger competitor back in the home market.

I am horrified by yesterday’s mass shooting in my beloved once-and-future “third home” of Prague (report in English, in Czech). I took Czech classes in my first summer language program in the very building where it happened. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the people of this beautiful city.

The Cato Institute has launched a new series of essays on “Defending Globalization: Society and Culture”. The first, “Food Globalization Puts the World on Your Plate”, explores the ways globalization has revolutionized the ways the world eats and drinks, both at home and dining out. Who would have guessed the most popular takeout food in Thailand — burritos?

Thanks to Laurel at the Global Small Business Blog for the link!

Global Trade Magazine has published a list of the world’s top markets for dog and cat food. Germany takes first place with imports worth $2.1 billion in 2022. The leading anglosphere countries — the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada — take the next three spots, with Poland rounding out the top five.

A new report from a group of alternative protein research firms outlines opportunities for producers from Australia and New Zealand. But US manufacturers should be paying attention as well. Top potential markets include China, Singapore, and South Korea.