Marwan Sheikho’s Post

Languages and dialects are vanishing at an alarming rate, taking with them cultural heritage and unique worldviews. This article explores the forces behind linguistic extinction, its impact on identity and diversity, and why preservation efforts are crucial for humanity’s shared legacy. https://lnkd.in/dUUpK_br #italiantechnicaltranslations #planetlanguageservices #LanguagePreservation #CulturalHeritage #LinguisticDiversity

Hi folks. In this post I'm going to wrap up what turned out to be a pretty good year for me. I started out the year expecting to be leaving academia, and ended it with an ongoing job that I landed at the eleventh hour: in 2025 I'll be starting a position as lecturer in linguistics in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, and I couldn't be happier. In November I launched my new book, The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet through Cornell University Press. It brings together almost two decades of thinking, research, and writing about the complex language politics of Tibet, and provides what I think are important lessons about the future of global linguistic diversity: https://lnkd.in/gVjV6uDV I had a good year for publications, with four academic articles coming out across the year: Securing the right to assimilate: How the drafting of the genocide convention helped undermine language rights: https://lnkd.in/gt3D-KHP Towards a sociolinguistics of deglobalization (with Jess Kruk): https://lnkd.in/gEtGf4bD “Conquered primitives have no written language”: Language revitalization, reactionary settler colonialism, and perpetual genocide https://lnkd.in/gCdqMGGz We need a global language rights movement: https://lnkd.in/gG46itPV The last article has now almost hit 35,000 reads 😮 I also had a non-academic article out with Meanjin: "Don’t read the comments: The backlash against Indigenous language reclamation in Australia" https://lnkd.in/gv6EtmDg  Across the year you could also find me in the Guardian, ABC Radio National, International Affairs, Red Pepper, Positions Politics, and Language on the Move. I also continued to be active in advocating for language rights and linguistic justice. In February I helped organize Global Language Advocacy Days for the Global Coalition for Language Rights (GCLR), and then I stepped down from my two-year tenure as co-chair of the coalition. My last bit of work with GCLR was helping to launch the inaugural Language Rights Defenders Award: https://lnkd.in/gpxkEnEc Later in the year, I worked with my friends Irene G. and Veronica Costea to set up an exciting new project, the Linguistic Justice Foundation. I am really happy with how it is going so far (did you see our recent announcement introducing our board?). I think we're going to do lots of great work in 2025 and far beyond. I hope you've all had a good year 🙂

#Mayan languages, a diverse family of languages spoken in #CentralAmerica, have a rich and intricate history. As a #languageserviceprovider, Rare Language Services aims to shed light on the evolution, current status, and cultural significance of these languages. This blog explores the historical journey of Mayan languages, the number of languages still spoken today, and the demographics of their native speakers.

Mayan languages in Guatemala are at a critical crossroads, facing significant challenges from economic pressures, migration, and the dominance of Spanish. Despite the 1996 Peace Accords, which aimed to improve Indigenous rights, obstacles remain. This report by Research Analyst David Neef, MPA, MA offers a deep dive into the current state of Mayan languages, uncovering the historical suppression and the powerful role of digital initiatives and grassroots activism in revitalizing these endangered languages. Click here to read the most recent #gorstra report for the Latin America and Caribbean Desk: https://lnkd.in/eAACpZ2g #MayanLanguages #CulturalPreservation #Guatemala #HumanRights #IndigenousVoices #EndangeredLanguages #IndigenousLanguages #MayanCulture #IndigenousCommunities

The Buryat language is a key cultural connector in Eastern Russia, Mongolia, and China. This article provides insights into its Mongolic origins, unique grammatical features, and the impact of Russian influence. Preservation efforts highlight its importance. https://lnkd.in/dANUAB_M  #BuryatLanguage #CulturalPreservation #LinguisticDiversity #MongolicLanguages

FYI: Mirativity in African Languages: A Typological and Theoretical Exploration” / La mirativité dans les langues africaines : une exploration typologique et théorique: This edited volume explores how African languages encode surprise, unexpectedness, and new information through linguistic structures and cultural expressions. Despite their vast diversity and richness, African languages have been underrepresented in global discussions on mirativity—a vibrant area of linguistic research. With contributions from across major African linguistic families, the book aims to document mirative constructions such as tonal shifts, affixation, and word order changes while

Best Reviving Narragansett: The Importance of Preserving a Native American Language Native American languages are an integra... https://lnkd.in/dVGERwhf #Narragansett Native American languages are an integral Narragansett part of the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities in the United States. These languages have been passed down through generations and hold immense historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. However, many Native American languages are now endangered or on the brink of extinction due to various factors such as ... Read more

The fears surrounding Atatürk's language reform reflect deep-seated concerns about cultural identity and integrity within the Turkish nation. While the adoption of the Latin alphabet aimed to modernize and unify Turkey, it also raised questions about maintaining connections to Islamic heritage and resisting foreign influences. In summary, my argument underscores the importance of viewing language not just as a means of communication but as a critical component of cultural identity. The transition from Arabic to Latin script in Turkey serves as a case study for understanding how language reforms can impact national identity, cultural preservation, and the ongoing negotiation between tradition and modernity in an increasingly interconnected world.

Best Reviving Narragansett: The Importance of Preserving a Native American Language Native American languages are an integra... https://lnkd.in/ghEgRF3p #Narragansett Native American languages are an integral Narragansett part of the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities in the United States. These languages have been passed down through generations and hold immense historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. However, many Native American languages are now endangered or on the brink of extinction due to various factors such as ... Read more

New blog! 🆕 Hiwot Alemayehu Ferede explores the role of language and narratives about Africa in #shiftthepower In this new piece, Hiwot discusses where the dominant narratives about Africa come from, the importance of the topic of language, and this relates to #civilsociety work and shifting the power. "Decolonizing language is about more than just words", Hiwot says. "It is about creating equitable partnerships between different worlds and perspectives." https://lnkd.in/eYg4C-Hs