LL-L: "Language politics" LOWLANDS-L, 16.OCT.1999 (03) [E/LS]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 16.OCT.1999 (03) * ISSN 1089-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: Berend Klönne [beronnie at wxs.nl]
Subject: Silbo-taal

Laeglanders,

Europa hef er weer 'n erkende minderheidstaol bie. 't Is de in vrogger
jaoren op la Gomera  (Spaans eiland in de Atlantische Oceaan, behorend tot
de Canarische Eilanden en tot de prov. Santa Cruz de Tenerife in de autonome
regio Canarias, 380 km2, met 18!000 inw.; hoofdstad: San Sebastián de la
Gomera.)  bruukte _Silbo-taal_. 't Biezondere an disse taal is dat
't 'n fluit-taal (ofwel 'n taal die gevloten wodt) is.
Deur de opkomst van moderne communicatie-middelen as radio en  telefoon is
disse taal die bruukt weu om berichten over grote afstaand deur te geven in
onbruuk raakt. Now disse taal as minderheidstaal  erkend moet men  op zuuk
naor leraren die les kunt geven in disse biezondere taal.

Laeglanders,
Ie kriegt de groeten uut 'de olde lantschap Drenthe'
Goed gaon,
                      Berend Klönne
beronnie at wxs.nl
http://home.wxs.nl/~beronnie/

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From: R. F. Hahn [sassisch at yahoo.com]
Subject: Language politics

Leve Berend,

Bedankt för Dien Naricht baven.  Ofschoonst se niks mit 't Leegland to doon
hett, is se vun Belang, wat de europääsche Spraken-Politiek angaat, un dat gait
ook de leeglandschen Spraken an.  Daar wegen will ick dat gau för dee Liddmaten
up Ingelsch verklaren, de 't Neddersassische (Nedderdüütsche) nich verstaat.

Dear Lowlanders,

As I explained to Berend in Low Saxon (above), his posting, though not directly
dealing with the Lowlands, might be of interest regarding European (and other?)
language policies.  Because of that I am taking the liberty to provide you with
an  English synopsis of Berend's message.

<Beginning of synopsis>
The latest officially recognized European minority language is the so-called
"Silbo language," used, mostly in the past, on La Gomera (an Atlantic Ocean
island belonging to the Canary Islands and to the Province Santa Cruz de
Tenerife in the autonomous region of  Canarias under general Spanish
administration; 380 km2 in size, with 18.000 inhabitants; capital: San Sebastián
de la Gomera).  What is special about this is that Silbo is a whistling
language, or a language coded in the form of whistle levels and sequences.
Before the introduction of radios, telephones and other modern-day communication
media, Silbo used to be used as the long-distance communication medium.  Now
that it has been officially recognized as a minority language, there is a need
for Silbo instructors.
<End of synopsis>

What I personally find very interesting about this story -- and I knew about
Silbo earlier and have actually witnessed its use -- is that in this case a
virtually *extinct* language has been officially recognized.  I assume that this
is because it is seen as an important/cherished part of the island's cultural
heritage.  This seems to be taking minority/regional language recognition to an
extreme that I thought impossible (especially in Europe) until now.  This is a
case that we might need to bear in mind.

Which (though by no means "extreme") leads me to ask if any of the European
(specifically Lowlands-based) sign languages are officially recognized as
minority languages.

Thanks to Berend, and all the best to all of you.

Regards,

Reinhard/Ron

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