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Therefore, the opportunity to understand our most important and defining species-specific trait is being rapidly lost. In this Perspective, we highlight the extent of this problem, focusing on a key group at the heart of language transmission and loss\u2014child language learners. We show that, due to sampling biases, very little is known about how children learn much of the vast corners of the linguistic design space, and that our opportunity to do so this is fast running out. We end by arguing for the greater integration of the academy, government, and community in addressing this problem.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1162\/opmi_a_00199","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]],"date-time":"2025-04-08T17:56:18Z","timestamp":1744134978000},"page":"501-514","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1162\/mitpressjournals.corrections.policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["The Scientific and Cultural Cost of Convenience Sampling in the Face of Rising Language Endangerment: Highlighting the Role of Language Acquisition"],"prefix":"10.1162","volume":"9","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5302-356X","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Sam","family":"Passmore","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Evolution of Cultural Diversity Initiative, The Australian National 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