191 Languages in America alone are near Extinction
Over 50% of the world’s 6700 languages are seriously endangered and liable to be lost within 1 to 4 generations.
Visit the Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger
©UNESCO (note: this is a super neat gadget!)
©UNESCO (note: this is a super neat gadget!)
Why care? Globalization and modernization have tremendous benefits, right? UNESCO relates language preservation as crucial for cultural and social sustainability which is expressed in the “Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity,” which declares languages to be “the common heritage of humanity ... as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature.” Language serves as a vehicle for the transmittance of crucial information which is pertinent to cultural identity which facilitates cultural diversity. According the Koichiro Matuura, the Director-General of UNESCO in 2006, the “Ability to use and modify the environment, to engage in dialogue and to socialize is heavily dependent on language skills. Thus, marginalization or integration, exclusion or empowerment, poverty or development are, in a way, largely determined by linguistic choices.”
**IBSS data on languages used OTHER than English
(source: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/IBSS/about/international.htm)
With few predominant languages other than English marking the way in which we communicate globally, it is hard to imagine that the survival of the world would depend on indigenous or endangered languages. Especially when statistics reveal that 96 percent of all languages are used by only 4 percent of the world’s population (UNESCO, 2006). Yet, some scholars such as University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Emeritus Michael Krauss claims that “it (the loss of languages) is catastrophic for the future of mankind." Furthermore, “UNESCO considers a universal ethical imperative and essential for sustainable development in today’s ever more globalizing world (UNESCO, 2010).”
Devaluing cultural roots and identities that are embedded in language compromises value systems. This presents a moral and spiritual problem as civilizations integrate and evolve into the ‘world citizen’ in the 21st century. “One does not inhabit a country; one inhabits a language. That is our country, our motherland – and no other. (E.M. Cioran, as cited by UNESCO, 2006).” The Universal Declaration of Cultural Diversity adopted by UNESCO in 2001 stresses the need to preserve and protect cultural diversity in Articles 1, 3, 7, and 8. Specifically:
· Article 1 - Cultural diversity: the common heritage of humanity
Culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies making up humankind. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.
· Article 3 - Cultural diversity as a factor in development
Cultural diversity widens the range of options open to everyone; it is one of the roots of development, understood not simply in terms of economic growth, but also as a means to achieve a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence.
· Article 7 - Cultural heritage as the wellspring of creativity
Creation draws on the roots of cultural tradition, but flourishes in contact with other cultures. For this reason, heritage in all its forms must be preserved, enhanced and handed on to future generations as a record of human experience and aspirations, so as to foster creativity in all its diversity and to inspire genuine dialogue among cultures.
· Article 8 - Cultural goods and services: commodities of a unique kind
In the face of present-day economic and technological change, opening up vast prospects for creation and innovation, particular attention must be paid to the diversity of the supply of creative work, to due recognition of the rights of authors and artists and to the specificity of cultural goods and services which, as vectors of identity, values and meaning, must not be treated as mere commodities or consumer goods.
Development is a process of expanding freedom. Freedom is not only the ends of development, but also one of the principal means of development. One kind of freedom tend to feed other kinds of freedom. Those interested in biodiversity suggest that if preventative steps are not taken today to protect biodiversity, then the destruction becomes irreversible. The same with historical and cultural matters. What is lost today is lost also to future generations. Any process of economic review must identify consumption of culture, and not just commercial products, as part of its calculations.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs argued in January (2010) that the:
“current understanding of development entails the exploitation of natural resources where indigenous peoples are seen to be ‘obstacles’ to progress because they often occupy lands that are rich in resources. It is not surprising that the assimilation of indigenous peoples is a means to usurp their lands, a necessary step in fostering development. In this context, the national interest... has always taken precedence over indigenous peoples’ interests. For most of the twentieth century, the treatment accorded to indigenous peoples was very similar to their treatment during the centuries of European colonialism and expansion….
…Further, there has been some suggestion that in the case of ‘sustainable development’, there is the added risk of equating indigenous peoples with nature. While there has been a focus on indigenous peoples’ development revolving around the issue of land rights, in particular, how to exploit the natural resources, many indigenous peoples argue that their lands and resources should not be reduced to mere economic assets as they also form an important basis for indigenous peoples’ social and cultural integrity.”
UNESCO’s 2003 Convention recognizes the significance of language for the vitality of a culture which is pertinent for its survival, asserting that “language is not only a vehicle of intangible heritage, it is their very essence.” Migration, integration, and globalization all threaten a language as it often dissipates within a larger culture. UNESCO further identifies that “languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet.
Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether. When languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression – valuable resources for ensuring a better future are also lost.”
For example, in Haiti prior to the earthquake more than 400,000 children lived in an orphanage (UNICEF, 2010). Poor living conditions have motivated parents to give up their children in hopes of having them adopted for the sake of a better life. According to an article appearing in the Wall Street Journal (2010), “While many ordinary Haitians are overjoyed when their children are adopted overseas, the government finds the practice problematic.” The Prime Minister, Jean-Max Bellerive stated "How can we rebuild a nation if the only chance that parents have to give their children a future is to part with them?" Not only did Haiti lose 100 years of architecture, but it is also losing its people.
The United Nations Vienna Declaration provides explicit consideration for culture in human rights promotion and protection, stating that "the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind." In this regard, UNESCO has taken a strong approach to promoting multilingualism, by advocating for regional and national language policies that preserve diversity of languages and encourage continual use and transmission of the ‘mother tongue.’ A collaborative approach reinforcing a positive attitude towards an endangered language can revitalize it and therefore preserve cultural heritage and the many assets that accompany it.
“Half of the 6,700 languages spoken today are in danger of disappearing before the century ends, a process that can be slowed only if urgent action is taken by governments and speaker communities. UNESCO’s Endangered Languages Programme mobilizes international cooperation to focus attention on this grave situation and to promote innovative solutions from communities, experts and authorities….Languages are humankind’s principle tools for interacting and for expressing ideas, emotions, knowledge, memories and values. Languages are also primary vehicles of cultural expressions and intangible cultural heritage, essential to the identity of individuals and groups. Safeguarding endangered languages is thus a crucial task in maintaining cultural diversity worldwide. (UNESCO, 2010).”
Do you want to be a part of cultural genocide or cultural preservation?
·
- See the Register of Good Practices of Language Preservation for some examples of successful revitalization efforts here
- To view a list of projects by World Bank on preserving cultural heritage (by region): click here
- Access UNESCO’s online resources and websites here
- Volunteers for Prosperity
- Other volunteer efforts available at http://serve.gov
References:
**I have posted these documents online which can be accessed by clicking on the “library” link above, and can be viewed in the ‘Google Docs’ section or by clicking here
Articles not accessible via ‘Google Docs’ can be viewed online at:
20 comments:
I wonder how many of these languages that are dying are from the nations of the native peoples throughout North and South America!
What if one's native language is so minor that it is an obstacle to taking advantage of economic opportunities? If people in undeveloped countries want to improve the quality of their lives by adopting the official language of their country as their own or by incorporating a more international language into their education and industry, who are we to hold them back?
Alexander,
Every language reflects a unique world-view with its own value systems, philosophy and particular cultural features. The extinction of a language results in the irrecoverable loss of unique cultural knowledge embodied in it for centuries, including historical, spiritual and ecological knowledge that may be essential for the survival of not only its speakers, but also countless others. Since the most crucial factor is the attitude of the speaker community toward its own language, it is essential to create a social and political environment that encourages multilingualism and respect for minority languages so that speaking such a language is an asset rather than a liability. Some languages now have so few speakers that they cannot be maintained, but linguists can, if the community so wishes, record as much of the language as possible so that it does not disappear without a trace.
David,
The interactive Atlas provided by UNESCO (which I've linked at the top of the the post under the map) is awesome!! I shows these trends and yes the majority of them are in South America and the West Coast of the U.S. However, India has a significant threat and there also is a "banded" pattern across Africa.
Hello Helena:
I find it a little disturbing that the prime minister of Haiti worries that while "(m)any ordinary Haitians are overjoyed when their children are adopted overseas, the government finds the practice problematic.. "How can we rebuild a nation if the only chance that parents have to give their children a future is to part with them?"
If they are "overjoyed" their children are leaving, then the answer is in the question -- it rests with Haiti and as a leader he should make an effort to root out the corruption in his 'own backyard'. This is not a simple reversal and the Haitians can not be accused of either being lazy or stupid, but he should not be scratching his head and wondering where the problem exists.
I also find it an odd use of the word "catastrophic" that Professor Krauss uses. Catastrophic for the future of mankind? Hiroshima was catastrophic for Japan. Katrina was for Louisiana and Mississippi and the ripple effect both had elsewhere. But neither had the world hanging in the balance.
I tend to think a loss of a language is not the end of the world or anything near it. I would think it a pity and unnecessary, but it would not be followed by plagues.
I am sure he is bright,but as someone involved in languages, the professor should have his chosen his key word more carefully and place some perspective in his argument.
Although the people who spoke the language would suffer, that does not seem to be the primary core of the theme here, so I will not touch too much upon it. I will say, since language is the crux of the discussion, that languages could be resurrected and studied as a number of linguists are charged to do.
On the human side, I remember a book, Thy Will Be Done, where the Rockefeller's and the Wycliffe Bible Translators went to areas in South America to teach indigenous people to read the bible in the State's language and when they became semi-literate, they were forced to give up their land and then to work for the corporation's which 'mined' the resources in the now non-existent tribal area.
In that example, to control a language is to control the framework of the question with the answer already known, which then controls the policy and the culture which it then marginalizes, which is one step away from disappearing.
If I may blatantly promote another blog insert, it is one of how dead people exhibited in a museum lose their identity and culture by those curators who inform visitors what the aborigine was "really" like as a "representational" culture devoid as ever having been real people with their own narrative addressed.
http://wp.me/pISTJ-51
Regards,
Lloyd Wedes
I live in California and speak English,It looks to be dying as it is the melting pot, I also speak Aramaic and Farsi,The Aramaic is a dead language.Many here speak Spanglish (mixture of English and Spanish)I wonder if many are passed by mixing one with another.
Thank you,
Stan Orlowski
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stanorlowski
Thanks for this message. Just some observations. Americans have no real interest in language and I am truly appalled at the degradation of English in this country.
At the same time, this is occurring in other places as well. In particular, in Italy many of the young speak Italian very poorly.
It is recognized by many that the reason is because they have stopped teaching grammar.
I understand this is the case in the US as well.
I bother to write you about this because I am passionate about culture, cultural diversity and celebrating our differences, and as I am sure you are aware, language is one of the most important parts of culture.
While I am fluent in 3 languages, I can function in many and enjoy greatly the multitude of expressions and meanings of words.
Unfortunately, there is too much homogenization with the influence of pop culture, technology and the so called "democratization".
Still, there remains folks like me who will continue going about to the beat of their own drum.
That actualy is not a bad thing. Fewer languages the easier it will be for each of us to understand each other.
Along those lines, I suggest this film: http://thelinguists.com/
Globalization is playing its own role. For example I remain online and use english language as a medium of communication for much longer time than any other language, more than the time I give to my own native language. It is nobody's fault. Naturally if some language is endangered, it is because of the people who previously used that language but are not using it now. For whatever reasons?? Only he or she can protect it? Others don't know that language and cannot play an effective role. Am I right Helena?
It is through globalization that people integrate and use the dominant language a means of communication. When they have offspring, their children will also use that as their primary language. In that regard, it is up to the native speakers to ensure that the language is not lost in a world that is increasingly integrated. I do, however, think that others can play a role in protecting that language is precisely what UNESCO states:
The most important thing that can be done to keep a language from disappearing is to create favourable conditions for its speakers to speak the language and teach it to their children. This often requires national policies that recognize and protect minority languages, education systems that promote mother-tongue instruction, and creative collaboration between community members and linguists to develop a writing system and introduce formal instruction in the language. Since the most crucial factor is the attitude of the speaker community toward its own language, it is essential to create a social and political environment that encourages multilingualism and respect for minority languages so that speaking such a language is an asset rather than a liability. Some languages now have so few speakers that they cannot be maintained, but linguists can, if the community so wishes, record as much of the language as possible so that it does not disappear without a trace.
Also, they have a 'register of good practices' which I listed at the bottom of my post so that others can learn to appreciate language diversity and help others to ensure that it does not get 'lost in translation.'
Stan,
After studying Spanish for two years in college I went to the West Coast and no one had a clue what I was saying when I spoke Spanish. I kept getting out my dictionary and double checking my words and their usage but still couldn't figure out the problem. Well, it turns out they weren't speaking Spanish out all! First, I was bothered because I felt like I wasted my time learning Spanish, and second, I was confused as all ever. So let me tell you what UNESCO says about this phenomena:
In the normal course of human history, languages disappear and new ones appear, and this remains true today. New languages may be the result of a conscious effort (Esperanto) or other processes such as pidginization (development of a simplified, mixed language for communication among two or more groups) or creolization (development of a mixed language that becomes the mother language of a group). New languages also arise as dialects of an existing language become more and more different from each other over time, and speakers of one dialect no longer fully understand speakers of another.
I think what has happened as languages have merged, evolved, and split amongst micro-cultures we are becoming more distance and our language that was was shared is now foreign.
Helena
Being Swedish and born with it as first language I would much prefer to have been born with English as first language. So I would much prefer that we stick to English, Chinese, Hindu, Arabic and Spanish, possibly French as well. All these small languages are just obstacles in a global world.
Helena, I think this was a meaningful article which, hopefully, will raise wider sensitivity to the important issue preserving the languages heading for extinction. We have a duty to see the culture and the history it represents made available to future researchers.
However, the extinction may be an irreversible process as "superior" power erodes the habitat and the question facing indigenous peoples is whether the only viable option is whether their only option for survival is to become assimilated.
After all Homo Sapiens once shared their world with at least three other genera. The competition for scare resources, wildly vacillating climactic change, improved technologies, and geological events have left us as the only surviving species in humankind's evolutionary process.
We have no knowledge of what the syntax, or method of verbal communication was between Neanderthals, but it almost certainly existed. The extinction of native speakers will mark its demise as a living language, but who knows what future generations of scholars may learn from the history of a preserved language(s)?
Looking at the development of language I would note that this form of communication is indeed evolutionary. When I studied Thai I was amazed at the number of "borrowed" words that had entered their vernacular in its post-WW II development. How many of us would be able to speak in "Old English," or even "Elizabethan English?" Language itself appears to be a snapshot of a particular time, or era, during its development marked by the fortunes of its speakers.
Incidentally, the UNESCO Interactive Atlas was indeed awesome. Let's pray it will have a positive result.
Lloyd,
Thank you for such a thorough analysis of this discussion.
Regarding Haiti, UNICEF halted all adoptions in part because of what the Prime Minister had said but also because they fear that the children are subject to exploitation. I recently wrote a paper about the infrastructure of Haiti and the pyschosocial impact of such a weak infrastructure. I do so the people's point of view in that they aim to give their children a better life, but I do not think that the PM should being pointing the finger at the parents or the children or anyone else for that matter. This man who runs an orphanage (ref: WSJ article on main post) made a good point: he noted that people are paying upwards to $25,000 per child to adopt them out of the conditions, yet it would only take $15,000 to build a structure that would provide housing for over 30 children. For Haiti, there is a psychological component involved in this issue, but it is the result of infrastructure failure.
I agree that the professor's reference to "catastrophic" was a little overboard, but I suppose it could be viewed as a matter of cultural relativity. I was born and raised in New Orleans and hence, there for Katrina. To me it was catastrophic, and still is as in my 'worldview' it will never be the same. Initially I feared that the loss of Grand Isle and the surrounding area would mean a loss of the "true" Cajun, but I realized that how we identify ourselves is not by geographical location, rather how we transmit the values of the culture. Today I do no live in New Orleans but I still retain my identity. In this regard, I think it is up to the people to make a concious effort to preserve their heritage.
I'm glad you referenced "Thy Will be Done." I haven't read it but I think that it adds great value to this discussion. Your latter reference I will certainly read as I've heard before that the aborigine have consistently been associated with "land" and the notion of "culture" has often been negated which also renders dehumanization in that regard.
Thanks so much for your detail and contribution to this discussion!
Catarina,
Thanks for your input in this discussion. I can understand how being Swedish having to learn English and then use it as a primary language would be an obstacle in itself. Of course, it makes sense that having 6700 languages is an impediment to communication. Yet, while these languages disappear new ones are emerging (especially here in the U.S.) that are making it quite difficult for micro-cultures to communicate even when there was a shared language. For example, the emergence of "spanglish" and "ebonics" are evolving into languages all their own which is quite foreign to English. I think that this is disturbing, because it seems that these "real" languages that are part of history are being replaced by what is not language at all but rather improper grammar. Do you see that happening where you are, or do people pretty much adhere to standard English?
George,
I'm glad you shared the same excitement as I with that Atlas. I was amazed at the diversity of language in the world today. I agree that the evolution of language is parallel to the evolution of humanity, but if we take care to preserve these languages there may be so much to learn. Looking back, I mean way back, understanding language as opposed to interpreting it based on assumption may have significantly changed our historical account of events. But who knows? And I agree with you that the same can be said for the future in that regards.
However, I appreciate your analogy of language to a "snapshot." Your reference to the various types of English and how different eras used vernaculars helps us identify a culture and its formalities (or informalities). It makes me think of the Caveman 'hypothetically' speaking English compared to Elizabethan English. If they both spoke English, their context gives us insight into the primitive nature of communication and how the English language has evolved.
This is very worrying. The Lakota are now teaching their Native Language before
it becomes forgotten. The Welsh, uk, are now teaching Welsh as a matter of course.
I am in the process of learning Cherokee.
The less we know about the past and the present the more insecure must prove our judgment of the future - Sigmund Freud
Finally had time to go back to review the website related to language extinction. Coincidently, this month's issue of "Science" warns us of the consequences of declines in biodiversity. Both sources and both issues are disturbing. The removal of just one species, for example, can cause significant damage to others. Likewise, as the website pointed out, the removal of just one language is the loss of a unique perspective and a part of who we are. In the long-term, it looks like we are heading for a future based on less diversity in general. Perhaps, the preservation of species and languages through collections before they become extinct is well advised. I recently learned, for example, of the efforts of Edward Curtis, "Coming to Light", to photograph and record the various costumes, languages, etc. of various Native American tribes still here in the early 1900s. The reservations took away their languages which encompassed their stories, rules, etc.: who they were. As much as I appreciate these concerns, I am more drawn back to the common heritage we all share and the common future we can create.
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