SIL International

If you can say it, SIL International likely has a symbol for it. The organization studies, translates, and documents more than 1,900 lesser-known world languages, primarily focusing on unwritten languages and adding sounds to the international phonetic alphabet. SIL International also develops community-based literacy programs and translates a variety of literary works into local languages. The organization began as a small summer linguistics training program founded in 1934 and has grown to include staff members from more than 70 different countries.