FEATURES
18 The Linguist Vol/57 No/2 2019
ciol.org.uk/tl
How the International Year of Indigenous Languages was established
and what it hopes to achieve. By Irmgarda Kasinskaite-Buddeberg
I
ndigenous languages are celebrated globally as
repositories of rich cultural heritage because they are
imbued with traditions, values and knowledge
developed and accumulated over thousands of years.
Stakeholders all over the world have emphasised the fact
that indigenous languages represent key resources for
understanding the environment, science, education and
communication systems, and for harnessing their
potential to the advantage of local populations, as well
as of humanity as a whole. For these reasons, the
involved parties strive to raise awareness of the need
to preserve indigenous languages and ensure their
transmission, encouraging the involvement of all
relevant stakeholders.
These issues need to be addressed urgently, as the
majority of indigenous languages are being used less and
less. Many are at risk of disappearing in the near future.
Language loss has a devastating impact on the people
concerned, as well as on global linguistic diversity. Unique
ways of knowing and experiencing the world may be lost
forever. Indigenous languages can unlock vital
knowledge that could be harnessed for human benefit
and sustainable development, from climate change and
scientific innovation to social and cultural enrichment.
The reasons for language endangerment vary across
communities and locations, and include assimilation,
educational disadvantage, illiteracy, migration and
discrimination. In practical terms, this means that parents
and elders may no longer pass on specific terminology
and vocabulary to their children, and the language may
fall out of daily use. These issues point to a significant
pattern of disadvantage affecting indigenous peoples
having an impact on a wide range of domains, including
political and legal representation; access to employment,
medical services, information, communication tools and
education; and the environment and biosphere.
GLOBAL RESPONSE
In order to draw global attention to these critical issues,
the United Nations proclaimed 2019 as the International
Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL), with Unesco as the
lead organisation, following a recommendation from the
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. For the UN,
the proclamation of an international year is considered to
UNITED VOICES
The launch of the
International Year of
Indigenous Languages
at Unesco's Paris
headquarters (above)
SAVING
TONGUES
