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| Map of Language Loss by Threat Level (Source: Living Tongues) |
Today’s blog post will discuss the topic of endangered
languages and language loss. While
linguists do not agree on the exact number it is believed that around 6000-7000
languages are spoken today, but it is estimated that half of these will be
lost, or extinct, by the end of this century.
This language loss may not seem like a big deal, but as language is a
key element of culture with language loss is also the loss of various cultures
and peoples associated with those cultures.
The concept of language loss, the causes and implications of language
loss, as well as the means of preserving languages will be discussed in this
post.
Languages are considered endangered based on several
criteria, which include but are not limited to specific languages no longer
being taught to new generations, lack of use in everyday activities, fewer and
fewer native speakers, and more. Several
languages have become extinct over the years, while others have simply evolved,
such as Latin, Greek, or Old English. It
is important to recognize the distinction between language extinction and
language evolution. In the former
(extinction), the language is no longer spoken in any sense or variation,
whereas in the latter (evolution) the language continues to be spoken in new
incarnation, such as modern Greek descending from ancient Greek. The languages are not lost as their bases can
still be identified in the modern, spoken languages.
Several factors lead to language endangerment. Language loss can be voluntary or
involuntary, but both of these are directly related to perceptions of
identity. Typically, language loss is
associated with a diminished opinion of the language and people who speak
it. This can be culturally or
politically motivated, such as through peer pressure, passing over individuals
for employment, or laws against speaking specific languages. Various legislated situations leading to
language loss have occurred across the world, including here in the United
States and Canada with the implementation of the mandatory boarding
schools of Native Americans.
The loss of language is also associated with the loss of
culture. Language is a key element of
culture, and language helps transmit cultural traditions, values, beliefs, norms,
etc. Language can help shape an
individual’s identity, so the loss of language can and often does lead to a
loss of cultural identity. So much so
that scholars have noted that individuals who lose their language are more
often to participate in deviant behaviors (e.g. drug and alcohol abuse or
criminal activities) as they seek out and try to reconcile their lost identity
with the negative perceptions associated with that identity. The opposite is also true as you can see here in this video about how speaking one's native language can have positive effects.
Culture is not the only loss associated with language endangerment and extinction. Languages and cultures provide us insights into human history, intellectual knowledge, and cultural diversity. The loss of both creates a vacuum in understanding the past and the present.
Culture is not the only loss associated with language endangerment and extinction. Languages and cultures provide us insights into human history, intellectual knowledge, and cultural diversity. The loss of both creates a vacuum in understanding the past and the present.
Because scholars have recognized the detrimental effects of language
loss proactive steps to prevent language extinction have been implemented. Scholars have begun recording and documenting
endangered languages as a means of preserving them and to use as tools for
educating new generations of speakers, promoting language literacy and maintenance
programs to encourage continued use of the language, and emphasizing the
benefits of language diversity throughout the world. These initiatives, however, cannot be
successful without support from local communities, which include both native
speaking and nonspeaking communities.
Native speakers must and most often do support these initiatives by
actively engaging and participating in them, but nonspeakers of the specific
endangered languages must also be supportive by encouraging and allowing the
language to be spoken without reprisal or punishment. This effort is often harder to obtain, but it
is an integral part of preserving languages.
Language diversity is paramount as it is so closely related to
cultural diversity. Language and culture
loss have greater negative impacts not just on the specific cultures affected but
all cultures around the world. Cultural diversity
helps to understanding the world, as well as how best to problem solve given
the various perspectives inherent in different cultural viewpoints, values,
beliefs, etc. So consider how you can assist
in preserving endangered languages or cultural diversity in your community,
which can be as simple as encouraging someone to speak their language without
fear.
Bibliography
Endangered Language Institute. 2012. “Why?” http://elalliance.org/why/
Kindell, G.
2015. “Endangered Language
Groups: What’s the Fuss?” SIL, Inc. http://www-01.sil.org/sociolx/ndg-lg-grps.html
Living Tongues: Institute for Endangered Languages. http://livingtongues.org
Malone, E. No
Date. “A Special Report: Endangered
Languages.” National Science
Foundation. https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/linguistics/endangered.jsp
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization. 2016. “Endangered Languages.” http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/endangered-languages/
Woodbury, A.C. 2012. “What
Is An Endangered Language?” Linguistic
Society of America. http://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/what-endangered-language
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