Approaches to Language Endangerement: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 14:45, 16 January 2023
Approaches to Language Endangerment
Academic
The academic approach to language endangerment is often spear headed by linguists, with varying goals in mind. There are several approaches linguists can work on from an academic point of view.
Often the first steps in understanding the vitality of a language requires both assessing the situation and understanding the causes behind it; the reasons for a language to become endangered can be very complex and require thorough knowledge of the context.[1] Understanding the causes behind the decline of a language can help in its revitalization.
Another, more traditional way linguists approach language endangerment is by language documentation and description. "Language documentation, also known as documentary linguistics, is the subfield of linguistics that deals with creating multipurpose records of languages through audio and video recording of speakers and signers and with annotation, translation, preservation, and distribution of the resulting materials."[2]
In the end perhaps the most important way to help is by offering linguistic expertise in discussing with politicians and especially communicating with the communities themselves.[1]
Language endangerment phenomenon
The language endangerment phenomenon approach "is concerned with the phenomenon of language endangerment itself, and salvage is not the most important aim of the research.”[3]
Language revitalization
Trying to save a language from extinction or revitalizing an already disappeared language.
There are several ways of approaching this, such as community-based programs, bilingual programs, and total immersion programs.
There are many examples of revitalization projects that are ongoing, with varying degrees of success.
What can be done according to UNESCO[4]
1. Basic linguistic and pedagogical training
2. Sustainable development in literacy and local documentation skills
3. Supporting and developing national language policy
4. Supporting and developing educational policy
5. Improving living conditions and respect for the human rights of speaker communities
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wilhelm, A. 2013. Language Revitalization.https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199772810/obo-9780199772810-0091.xml DOI: 10.1093/OBO/9780199772810-0091
- ↑ Austin, P. (2012, December 19). Language documentation. Oxford Bibliographies. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199772810/obo-9780199772810-0075.xml
- ↑ "4. Approaches to language endangerment" In Language Endangerment and Language Revitalization: An Introduction, 29-35. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110896589.29
- ↑ Language vitality and endangerement https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000183699.locale=en
