LL-L "Language Survival" 2004.03.21 (02) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * 21.MAR.2004 (02) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
=======================================================================

From: Críostóir Ó Ciardha <paada_please at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Language survival" 2004.03.20 (06) [E]

Mike Wintzer wrote:
"I guess my reaction was motivated by the fear that we might fall into
complacency: 'Let it die, we can always resurrect it later.' This would
make our efforts seem much more futile than they already are and may stifle
them completely."

I agree. Complacency is the worst sin of the endangered language community.
I have always held that we tend to take a minimalist approach to language
retention, transmission and rights - how many Lowland languages (or any
others, for that matter) are actually taught in nurseries (kindergarten),
and primary and secondary schools as the main 'immersion' subject of
instruction? Endangered languages are lucky to be taught as a 'foreign'
language subject, especially in countries such as France where the very idea
of 'regional' languages is perceived by the state as treachery to the
republic.

Too often language enthusiasts wait for the go ahead, for permission, from a
distant central government that couldn't care less about any endangered
language, because they don't want to be seen as trouble-making, disloyal
extremists. In the mean time, our languages are rarely taught, rarely used
in the public domain, and almost totally subordinated to the state language.

Complacency is a perfidious thing indeed.

Criostóir.

================================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
======================================================================