A national survey of Aboriginal languages will be undertaken in an effort to stop a further deterioration of traditional dialects.

It is thought that one Indigenous language is lost each year and the survey will aim to develop a policy for their preservation.

University of South Australia lecturer Bill Edwards says Aboriginal languages are slowly dying because of modern pressures.

"With all the pressures of globalisation and media and television, some of the younger ones in communities, even where languages are strong, are now tending to speak with English or a mixture of English and their Indigenous language," he said.

"The experts have made some fairly pessimistic predictions because of these changes that are happening in even remote Aboriginal communities."