How to stop language loss around the world

[Alexander Dietz]

Hello,

I am a German called Alexander Dietz. I am 34 years of age and very interested in linguistics as non-professional though I would like to work in linguistics. On this list I would like to discuss my ideas and hope that quite many persons are taking part in this list.

In my point of view it is such a shame that so many languages are truly endangered. What a contrast between the Christian values together with those of Enlightment and the treatment of indigenous peoples by some Europeans! After the colonisation and policies to assimilate indigenous peoples mainly in the Americas, Australia and Arabic dominated countries, we face a new threatening force, namely neoliberal thinking. This is true first at all in more industrialized countries where some people say that such languages ought to be fostered that bring economical and personal success in life. In my eyes, such an attitude tends to look one-sidedly at those things that are of economical and evident use.

In order to save as many languages as possible, decided action is necessary across the world. It is school education which is one key. I would suggest to introduce regional/indigenous languages as core subjects within the concerned areas. In immigrational countries like those in the Americas or in Australia, I would suggest to make the study of indigenous languages core subjects in those areas where there are significant percentages of indigenous people. In the other areas of those countries where mandatory teaching is not suitable, I would suggest to give every pupil the choice to study a local indigenous language. The argument is often heard which of the many indigenous languages should be chosen. The answer is quite simple: That indigenous to the own living area or near to the own living area!

I know that language education at school cannot solve problems alone. But nevertheless, it has positive results if the language is taught to all pupils effectively in a way suitable for children and youngsters. This will bring the local language back into societal mind and will give every pupil access to it. From Ireland, we can learn about both, negative and positive: How bad teaching turns pupils off the Irish language as well as positive results of Irish as a core subject in general and if it is taught in a more pleasant way. Nevertheless, it is fact that the Irish language is present in societal mind in Ireland and that some people do know Irish reasonably throughout Ireland due to Irish as a core subject. Quite few know it perfectly, but perfect domination is not necessary for average conversations. 

We ought to learn from Ireland that mandatory teaching of indigenous/regional languages for some years ought to be established across the world where suitable and possible. On the other hand we ought to learn from Ireland, too, that the teaching of a(n) regional/indigenous must take place in a manner that does not turn off children and youngsters. In nearly every language, topics can be dealt with that meet with the interests and needs of children and youngsters. In the case of effective and suitable teaching, it will probably be exciting for youngsters to discover a language/languages that have a link with their own surroundings.


Some other points are the following ones:
Beside language education, the task language has to get rid of prejudices and bad images. Furthermore language nests for very young children where native speakers pass their knowledge on are of great use. In the case of very minorized languages, cultural centres or similar facilities which are open either every day or several days a week are necessary or useful in order to give speakers the opportunity to meet together. Beside practicing the language, cultural activities linked to the language can take place.

Thank you for your posts on my points.

Best wishes,

Alexander Dietz