Today's blog post will address the critically endangered language of N||ng. Once widely spoken in South Africa the language is on the brink of extinction due to discriminatory practices that outlawed its use. Today, a lack of language preference is further decimating the language. Due to the sparsity of speakers there is actually very little written about this language, but what is known will be discussed herein. This blog post will address classifications for identifying the status of any language, the history of the N||ng language, and the factors that have led to its endangerment status, as well as a brief discussion on efforts to save it.
Languages become endangered for several different reasons, and language loss, extinction, or evolution are not new phenomena. The importance of understanding language lies in understanding the culture associated with it, which is why studying dying languages is so important. When a language is at risk of being lost it can be classified in various ways, all of which denote what the level of loss is. Languages that are initially at risk of becoming endangered are listed as vulnerable or potentially endangered, and languages that are no longer spoken are considered dead. Languages at the brink of extinction are considered critically endangered, which is the case for the South African language of N||ng.
N||ng is part of the larger Tuu language family, which includes are variety of click languages, such as IXam (now extinct). These click languages are of great importance to linguists because they are believed to be the descendant languages of the some of the earliest (if not the first) languages ever spoken by humans. As of 2013 there were five native N||ng speakers, which included three elderly women and two men (and at least two have died since then). Unfortunately, they all lived in different villages, which made it difficult for them to converse and share their language. As a result they only speak the language when asked, and these requests typically come from linguists seeking to learn more about it.
N||ng reached its critically endangered status due to discriminatory practices that occurred during South African Apartheid. When the Danish (white) government controlled South Africa they mandated the use of Afrikaans, thereby prohibiting the use of native African languages. This was a purposeful act of cultural extermination by the Danish government. Unfortunately, there efforts were quite successful as today many young South Africans show little to no interest in learning N||ng and instead prefer to learn and speak Khoekhoe or Afrikaans.
Due to the potential extinction of N||ng the South African government, which is no longer subject to the same discriminatory practices that existed during Apartheid, has funded efforts to save the language from extinction. The N||ng language has been officially recognized as an official language of South Africa, and universities and cultural centers are being created to teach the language. It is a start and hopefully these efforts will preserve this language and the culture associated with it.
References:
No Author. No Date. N||ng. The Endangered Languages Project. http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/lang/592
No Author. No Date. N|u. Enthnologue. https://www.ethnologue.com/language/ngh
No Author. 2013. The Linguists: African N/u Language. Youtube.
32 comments:
I believe we had a blog post like this before and looking back at that one can't this language be saved by having more people learn it?
As noted in this post that is in part what is happening to save this language. :)
I don't think the language should have to be saved they should be left at peace. This is the language they choose to speak I don't see the problem.
Ashlee, part of allowing this culture to continue is to save the language. As we discussed at the beginning of the semester language is a key part of culture, so to lose one is to lose the other.
I think it's rather interesting how a language can be wiped out. I am more interested in how this developed and how might it be prevented in order to preserve ones culture and many tales passed down.
I don`t understand how a language can just be wiped out like that. Language is such an important part of culture and how we communicate with each other.
I now understand how the government works when something in society goes from very popular to almost distinct. I love that the language is being retaught considering the fact that it could be the very first language spoken. - Erika Morris
I think it's good that the South African Government is trying to do something to save this language and culture because it was the very first language spoken and the younger generation need to know, it's apart of their history.
I feel they should leave there language how it is because maybe that's the only way they know how to communicate with each other. Just because they feel that it is an endangered status doesn't mean it should be taken away.
Taylor, there appears to be some confusion. This language is endangered because of discriminatory laws and practices that prevented and discouraged people to learn and speak it. As it is now endangered people and governments are trying to intervene to stop it from becoming extinct, hence the government programs to sponsor classes to teach it. :)
Akwila Cooks
I never know that an language could be endangered but I guess that makes sense. A language could be one of many reasons why a culture is different from others. I totally think the language should be saved.
I agree learning languages is important to learning about the culture. I also find the fact that the Danish wouldn't let the African people of South Africa speak their native click language like crazy that's just more evidence that the Danish were trying to kill the whole South African culture.
This basically just shows the government rules the world. I don’t feel like they should have took away their language because of “endangerment” that’s their way of communicating, their way of learning. It’s apart of their culture, makes them who they are and who they will live to be. It’s just interesting To learn that a language can be wiped out. - Katia Dunn
This is great and learning the language is most definitely a major part in understanding ones culture and how it works.
When I first read about the language being outlawed it made me think about our discussion in class today and how religion is protected by the law, but culture is not. I find it interesting because I think that religion and culture have similar characteristics.
I think this is crazy that their language just got taken away and the fact that the young south Africans do not show interest in trying to learn.
-Tiffany Heavens
phinasiaButler
i never knew languages can be stolen and turned into something else that it wasnt originally constructed as. but then again im not surprised considering how other cultures may want the legacy of an already great culture.
listen to this video i found out that six million people in south africa speaks afrikaans an only ten speak new. Another thing i found out is that if a person that speaks there language dies they believe that there language die with them also "its not a plant that can be grown" -Alexander Taylor
I also think it is very interesting how a language can just be wiped out. You would think that something as large as language would always be around.
I love hearing new languages. I personally love hearing them and find them to be extremely fascinating. Even in America, there is for some reason a discrimination for someone who speaks another language. last time I checked there was nothing in the constitution or any law that said we need to speak English.
Lindsey Wilkerson
I can honestly say I can agree with this blog because I know this is not the first time that a very historical language has been lost.This sounds exactly like what happen to the Latin language, they considered it a dead language and then realizing it is the root to many other languages that followed after Latin. As stated in this blog this language could be a descendant language for more recent languages that is another reason why it should be saved and not become just become another dead language.
It's interesting that the younger generation wasn't interested in learning the language. It's also a very unique way of spelling.
South Africans should definitively be interested in learning language because it the most important skill to have. If they don't how will they learn to communicate? The government should not take that away from them.
I am yet again amazed, I absolutely had no idea that a language could be extinct nor die. In the blog it talked about how the whites came and took over their area also prohibiting them from speaking their language. So, I'm guessing when the overtaking occurred they proceeded with following the rules and not use their language in secret. Being fearful of your life either sets out for a revolutions or it makes you hide in fear of your life; in this case they didn't disobey. Its really sad what I continue to learn about the past,especially when it seems like I learn more bad than good.
-Kaleshia Gibson
diamond greenwood
is it weird to say that i knew a language could go dead but not extinct? i find it very concerning that this language is going extinct because this could be a language that goes all the way back to the very first type of spoken language. i always thought linguistics are a big part of the history of humanity and i find myself in a panic when i think of all of the past spoken languages that have been died off.
Why should their language be wiped out like that? Do you know how crazy it would be for someone to come and make me stop speaking english?! Little did they know that language itself is an important part of life.
It saddens me that a language could be wiped off the face of earth. That's also means there's a small population of people who speak this language. Which also could include the possibility of wiped out history as well. I'm glad there are people pushing to save this language.
Hi my name is Avery Davis,and I think this blog is so interesting. In one blog i wonder how can language begin, but after reading this it states that it can be whip out. How can it be whipped out?
Avery, that is a very good question. There is actually another blog post that covers that. Please search for the blog post about endangered languages to learn more and to answer your question. :)
I never realized there were so many languages that were lost. After reading this I looked up more examples. It's good to know that this South African language has been recognized as the official language of South Africa.
Elaine christopher
When governments are the reason languages are taken away it allows a culture to believe they do not have what everyone wants but in anthropolgy they want the details and facts. Tuu, a click language have descendents that know but will it continue to be passed, or other influences will come in.
Qwynn Marquez
By emphasizing the declining number of native speakers, the post communicates the N||ng language's endangered condition. This emphasizes how essential it is to continue preservation efforts to keep the language alive and maintain its link to the language roots of humanity. Finding out about the efforts the South African government is supporting to save the N||ng species is encouraging. The creation of language-learning facilities and cultural hubs shows a dedication to protecting both the language and the cultural legacy that goes along with it.
Post a Comment