museum exhibit: endangered languages

[Michael Gasser]

Elaine brings up what I think is the most important point of all. Why
should people care? I find that the most common response when people (at
least English speakers) hear about language endangerment or "death" is lack
of interest. Or worse, people find this as a positive development. The
Tower of Babel image is where they start: the fewer languages, the better.

So the value of diversity, much as with biological diversity, and the
intimate connection between language and culture are crucial for people to
understand. (Most people are probably less likely to treat the death of a
culture as something positive. That is, I think cultural
imperialism/chauvinism is less common than linguistic
imperialism/chauvinism, at least in my country (USA). I could be wrong on
this though.)

Michael Gasser

Elaine Gold wrote:
> I've been following this discussion with some interest because two years
> ago a group of linguists founded 'The Canadian Language Museum' with a goal
> of sharing the richness of the languages of Canada with the general public.
> So far we have created two travelling exhibits (one on Canadian English,
> one on the Inuit language) and are preparing exhibits on Canadian French
> and Cree. We continue to grapple with the question of how best to present
> information about languages that the viewers don't speak in a way that will
> keep their interest. So I will throw in my two cents!
> 
> Regardless of the central image you use (coffin/phoenix/tree) I am
> concerned about having the exhibit made up of a large variety of unrelated
> words in a large number of languages. I worry that the glut of information
> will be overwhelming for the viewer if it is not organized in some way. I
> have found that visitors to exhibits about language like numbers,  maps,
>  writing systems and a clear message.  With respect to numbers,  you might
> already be planning to give the number of languages (approximately)
> currently spoken and how quickly they are disappearing. Maps showing where
> these languages are spoken would definitely be a bonus! Children could try
> their hands at different writing systems. And for a clear message -  you
> might want to consider having the same concept represented in different
> languages and connecting it to German – eg. In German we say 'Tisch' but
> here are 50 different words for Tisch'.  
> 
> Another question that you might want to answer is – why should the viewer
> care that these languages are disappearing? Can't people express themselves
> as well in German or English or Mandarin? Can the exhibit communicate a
> reason to care? I personally prefer a theme that will celebrate the
> diversity of languages rather than focus on death.
> 
> 
> Since the exhibit is opening on September 16, there really isn't much time
> for changing the exhibit content. I do think it's wonderful that the
> Children's Museum is creating this exhibit about language and is including
> information about endangered languages.
> 
> Elaine Gold, University of Toronto
> Chair, Canadian Language Museum