Problems associated with language endangerment:: Difference between revisions

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The speakers of [[Language Endangerment|endangered language]] and linguists (or revitalization workers) might have different views on the [[Language Revitalization|revitalization]] and language itself. For instance, for a language community it might be enough to know some of the language, whereas linguists want to revitalize "the whole language". Thus, there are contradicting views on what are the [[Goals of Revitalization|goals of revitalization]]. In addition, speakers of one language community might have varying opinions and views on language and language [[Language Revitalization|revitalization]] within the community, making it more difficult to determining what are the [[Goals of Revitalization|goals and purposes of revitalization]].  
The speakers of an [[Language Endangerment|endangered language]] and linguists (or revitalization workers) might have different views on the [[Language Revitalization|revitalization]] and/or language itself. For instance, for a language community it might be enough to know some of the language (eg. using traditional names for places), whereas linguists want to revitalize "the whole language". Thus, there may be contradicting views on the [[Goals of Revitalization|goals of revitalization]] which can create challenges in cooperation. In addition, speakers of a language community might have varying opinions and views on language and language [[Language Revitalization|revitalization]] within the community, making it more difficult to determine the [[Goals of Revitalization|goals and purposes of revitalization]].  


There are multiple [[Classifications of Language Endangerement|factors]] related to language vitality and endangerment, not just the bare number of speakers. Other factors effecting the vitality are the domains/environments where the languages are spoken in, what are the different language variants, the age of speakers, transmission to next generations...
There are multiple factors related to language vitality and endangerment, with the total number of speakers being only one of them. Thus, several different [[Classifications of Language Endangerement|tools and classification systems for measuring language vitality]] have been produced.  


In addition, in general it would be important to pay attention how we linguists talk about [[Language Endangerment|endangered languages]] - for instance determining a language dead by using this word might be harmful, and language speakers might see the "status" and endangerment differently than linguists.
In general it would be important to pay attention how we linguists talk about [[Language Endangerment|endangered languages]] - for instance determining a language dead by using this word might be harmful, and language speakers might see the "status" and endangerment differently than linguists.


We also often talk about [[Language Endangerment|language endangerment]], although what is endangered is much more than just language, it is the culture and knowledge that are lost too (for instance the kinship terms in some Australian communities).
We also often talk about [[Language Endangerment|language endangerment]], although what is endangered is much more than just language, it is the culture and knowledge that are lost too (for instance the kinship terms in some Australian communities).


Source for this page<ref>Mufwene, S. S. (2017). Language vitality: The weak theoretical underpinnings of what can be an exciting research area. Language 93(4), e202–e223.</ref>
Source for this page<ref>Mufwene, S. S. (2017). Language vitality: The weak theoretical underpinnings of what can be an exciting research area. Language 93(4), e202–e223.</ref>
<references />

Revision as of 22:51, 17 December 2022

The speakers of an endangered language and linguists (or revitalization workers) might have different views on the revitalization and/or language itself. For instance, for a language community it might be enough to know some of the language (eg. using traditional names for places), whereas linguists want to revitalize "the whole language". Thus, there may be contradicting views on the goals of revitalization which can create challenges in cooperation. In addition, speakers of a language community might have varying opinions and views on language and language revitalization within the community, making it more difficult to determine the goals and purposes of revitalization.

There are multiple factors related to language vitality and endangerment, with the total number of speakers being only one of them. Thus, several different tools and classification systems for measuring language vitality have been produced.

In general it would be important to pay attention how we linguists talk about endangered languages - for instance determining a language dead by using this word might be harmful, and language speakers might see the "status" and endangerment differently than linguists.

We also often talk about language endangerment, although what is endangered is much more than just language, it is the culture and knowledge that are lost too (for instance the kinship terms in some Australian communities).

Source for this page[1]

  1. Mufwene, S. S. (2017). Language vitality: The weak theoretical underpinnings of what can be an exciting research area. Language 93(4), e202–e223.