Curated theme: Possible source of conflict between the SDGs and language maintenance

Language maintenance, for example in the form of language revitalization, is an important tool to limit or reverse language endangerment. This is generally a positive thing as languages, cultures and identities are preserved. However, the act of maintaining a language can cause conflicts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). Some possible sources of conflict between the SDGs and language maintenance can be found in the following pages.

Quality education

Quality of education or access to it might decrease for minority speakers because of language revitalization programs

E.g. because of lack of subject-specific terminology, inadequate teaching materials in the minority language, or exclusion from teaching of certain subgroups of the community

• Sustainable Development Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Language Revitalization
• Goals of Revitalization

Well-being

Mental wellbeing of communities might suffer from inappropriate language maintenance approaches

E.g. if the communities ideas or needs are not taken into account when designing a program

• Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Goals of Revitalization
• Approaches to Language Endangerment

Gender equality

Gender equality might be violated by revitalizing and reproducing outdated language biases and ideas

• Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Equality

Equality of diverse communities might be reduced by strengthening minority languages

E.g. because of growing language barriers between majority and minority speakers, or othering of the minority community

• Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
• The Sociocultural Ecology of Language

Inclusion

Attempts towards inclusive societies might be disrupted by focusing on revitalized languages

E.g. because revitalized languages are not supported in administrative institutions, medical facilities, digital support, and society in general

• Sustainable Development Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
• The Sociocultural Ecology of Language

Economy

Economic processes might lack inclusivity and sustainability when communities focus on a revitalized minority language

E.g. because of a competitive disadvantage through a lack of skills in the majority language

• Sustainable Development Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
• The Sociocultural Ecology of Language

Climate

The climate might be negatively impacted through increased CO2 emissions by linguists travelling for language maintenance programs

• Sustainable Development Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Sustainability in Linguistics