Tia Goodhand
The influence of language greatly shapes our culture and identity. The languages we acquire contribute to our self-definitions. However, what are the repercussions if the languages we speak become less popular due to demography, prestige, and institutional support? To what extent would our identities be affected? What measures would have to be implemented in order to avoid the loss of a language completely?
After reading chapter 13: Language as a Social Entity within the text, What is Sociolinguistics? (Van Herk, 2018) I developed a particular interest in language revitalization. While many languages are suffering from large-scale language shifts, language revitalization seeks to encourage the preservation and use of these at-risk languages.
Examining the various strategies to support and revive a language, I also read many texts about language death. Van Herk defines the death of a language as “ a complete shift in which the original is no longer used by anyone, anywhere” (p.189). Language revitalization measures strive to avoid language death at all costs. While Cornish for example is no one’s first language, efforts to promote revival have been actively implemented. Cornish lessons, language radio programs, and newspaper articles are three example mediums integrated as revival strategies (p.190).
I began to read about the language revitalization processes of languages including Maori, Navaho, Inuktitut and Welsh. As I delved deeper, I discovered, “90% of the world speaks only 100 languages-the other 6,600 are kept alive by small groups, and for a very large proportion of those languages, the number of speakers is diminishing” (Hinton, 2003, p.44) Additionally, languages that are used by a small number of individuals who possess minimal political or economic power are typically those who at risk of language death (Van Herk, 2018, p.189).
These readings prompted me to reflect upon the languages I have learned, as well as their associated societal positioning and interpreted power. I began to reflect on how my identity as an ESL teacher and speaker of French can be linked to hegemonic language values. The dominant languages that I speak, do not require language revitalization, due to societally enforced power structures. I also reflected upon my position as a second language researcher. As I analyzed the ways in which my perspective of language that has been created through a lens of language prestige, I also became aware of possible subconscious biases that may arise in my research. I must therefore critically examine my research methods, constanly searching for these nuances.
Examining the revitalization measures for Inuktituk, the financial obstacles became clear. Author of the blog post, Revitalization of Inuktitut: Using government funding to implement technology to strengthen an endangered language, Haley Blair (2019), dissects the various strategies that could be implemented within the language revitalization process of the Inuktituk. Hailey mentions that while there are many acts that strive to revitalize languages, these measures are often impeded by limitations on funding.
A short-term solution? Ms. Blair suggests researching effective ways to create online resources that will then be made widely accessible to the public. She also articulates that alongside the goal of language revitalization, these measures will create meaningful opportunities for generations to connect.
It is also important to take into account the various methods of preserving and revitalizing languages. The tools and strategies that are implemented must also align with the traditions and cultural practices of the language being revived.
Considering the preservation of European languages,
“literacy plays a key role in language maintenance and revitalization. Frisian, Irish, Welsh, Breton, Catalan, and other minority languages have long literary traditions, which helps their standing in the eyes of the world and provides avenues for artistic expression, education, and research” (p.52).
For most indigenous languages, however, “Instead, there may be important traditions of formal oratory and oral storytelling, along with ritual and ceremony that have oral components” (p.52).
Language revitalization is a multi-tiered process that is both timely and expensive. Van Herk (2008) asks the question, how should language funding be allocated? As well as, should certain languages should be labeled as a higher priority than others? (p.202). If anyone would like to share their opinions or thoughts, I would love to continue the conversation in the comments section!
For anyone interested in gaining further insight into language revitalization, April Charlo shares a personal anecdote about her language revitalization journey in the Ted Talk below.
References:
Charlo, A. (2015, March 27). Indigenous Language Revitalization. [Video]. TED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kuC_IemiCs
Blair, H. (2019, June 11). Revitalization of Inuktitut: Using government funding to implement technology to strengthen an endangered language. University of Washington.
Hinton, L. (2003). Language revitalization. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 23, 44–57.
Van Herk, G. (2018). What is sociolinguistics? 2e Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
