Language Endangerment and Revitalization
Cameron Keaton
Learning Objectives
- What’s a locally endangered language?
- How do we revitalize a language?
- What does revitalization even mean?
- What is the importance of understanding language endangerment?
What is language endangerment and revitalization?
Throughout this chapter, we have looked at what a majoritized language is and what a minoritized language is. To this point, you should know the importance of both of these and why they need to be taught in the classroom. Near the end of the previous section, I talked about the importance of “rallying” behind minoritized languages because they could become extinct. Well, this section is on that very subject, endangered languages, and like I previously mentioned, when a language goes extinct, a lot of its history goes with it.
When it comes to language endangerment, there are a lot of endangered languages that go unnoticed. When I first took a linguistics course, learning about the number of endangered languages was truly heartbreaking. The real issue with endangered languages is it is going to take an all-out effort for us to revitalize them. So, how do we go about revitalizing these languages? First, we have to know the definition of revitalization. The definition of revitalization is to help grow, develop, or help, a language, for instance, become successful again. How do we go about doing this? There are a lot of different approaches to language revitalization, but the one that stood out the most to me can be found in the book The Routledge Handbook of Plurilingual Language Education by Robert Elliott, where he states, “Language revitalization efforts are typically started by dedicated individuals or groups of individuals who aim to support their heritage language. In assembling a team, if possible, they start with the expertise of remaining L1 speakers, typically elders. They may choose to include on their team academics or experts, who may be either ‘outsiders’ or tribal members,”(Elliott, 438-439). This quote perfectly describes the extreme importance of passion when revitalizing a language. The importance of language revitalization starts with passion, and passion could begin with students like yourself who want a language to be revitalized.
Indigenous language examples and their revitalization efforts:
The importance of learning or maintaining minoritized languages can be the difference between the knowledge of a people and their culture and history continuing or becoming extinct. However, with the newfound engagement with Indigenous languages, there has been a great sign that these languages will continue to thrive and be spoken. It is always important to know the history of the land where you currently reside. A great quote that speaks on this topic states, “However, with the growing global recognition of indigenous knowledge systems, the hope that indigenous languages will thrive and spread in spoken and written forms is being rekindled. Many indigenous communities have already instituted their own systems of revitalizing their languages. The Ainu of Japan have set up a learning system where the elders teach the language to their youth. Schools of Living Tradition in different indigenous communities in the Philippines similarly keep their cultural forms, including languages alive,”(Degawan). This quote touches on the hope that we are beginning to understand Indigenous languages more.
We are also able to continue to help these languages thrive. Even at UO, there are many ways to help understand and preserve the traditions of these communities. The good news for you, dear readers, is that Ichishkíin is offered at UO through the department of Linguistics and with the support from NILI. This is a purposeful language experience for those who want to learn a language different from radically majoritized language with focus not only on language but on culture and history of Ichishkíin people as well.
Learning in the classroom isn’t the only way one can learn about these indigenous languages. There are also many cultural and language learning centers and lectures hosted on campus that target these minoritized languages. An example at the University of Oregon could be the many lectures hosted on campus that target the language and culture of the Indigenous communities of this land.
To know more about NILI and its initiatives, take a moment to visit their site here.
Where there’s a will, there is a way!
Do you know languages local to you that are endangered? If the idea of learning endangered languages resonates with you and you find a purpose in it, I challenge you to find one endangered language that is currently local to you. Native Land Digital is one way you can find out the history of the land you are currently living in using an interactive map. I am sure you will be surprised by the results of only trying to find one language. There is a high likelihood that while searching for one singular endangered language, you may find many languages that are either endangered or currently dormant.