How important is preservation of linguistic diversity for a nation?

Who would think a language could pave the way towards prosperity and economic well being?

Well, you will be able to relate the matter to yourself, or your business, right after these 5 minutes that you may take to read through. Afterall, we did take time to understand the impact of computing power on our lives and businesses; It doesn't look much today though.

I do not mean to pretend as a subject expert here, but have included a few points to reinforce the article's objective - we, the people, are integral part of a nation's growth; And sustainable economic development needs to encompass the important elements of one's individuality.

A Research Associate from the University of Cambridge puts it:

As economies develop, one language often comes to dominate a nation’s political and educational spheres. People are forced to adopt the dominant language or risk being left out in the cold – economically and politically.

As I found out, there are multiple reasons why reviving dying languages is important; Encompassing cultural, social, linguistic, and even cognitive aspects. Here are some key reasons why the preservation and revival of dying languages seems to be crucial:

1. Cultural Diversity:

Languages are carriers of unique cultural knowledge, traditions, and histories. Reviving dying languages helps maintain and celebrate the diversity of human cultures.

2. Preservation of Traditional Knowledge:

Many dying languages contain specialised knowledge about local ecosystems, traditional medicine, agriculture, and other practices. Reviving these languages preserves valuable traditional knowledge that the nation may stand to lose otherwise.

The most linguistically diverse states in India are Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, followed by tribal areas and islands like Andaman and Nicobar. Small states with distinct ethnic and tribal groups show greater linguistic diversity than large, densely populated states like Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, where there is homogenisation induced by diffusion of people and culture over time. In Kerala, 97% of the population speaks one language: Malayalam.

3. Identity and Heritage:

Language is an integral part of one's identity. Reviving a dying language helps communities reconnect with their cultural roots and strengthens a sense of belonging and pride.

4. Interconnectedness:

Languages often have intricate connections with the environment, regional landscapes, and community relationships. Preserving these linguistic connections helps maintain a holistic understanding of the world and encourage better efficiency and performace on the part of the individuals.

5. Linguistic Diversity:

Linguistic diversity is crucial for understanding the full range of human expression and communication. Each language provides unique perspectives and ways of expressing thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

India comprises 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each with its unique linguistic landscape. The rich tapestry of languages, reflecting the nation's cultural mosaic, is a source of pride for its citizens. Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu are printed on Bharatiya mudra (Indian currency notes) besides Hindi and English, which makes it a total of 17 official languages in the country. However, there are several more, many of which are facing extinction.

6. Social Cohesion:

Language plays a vital role in community cohesion. Reviving a dying language can foster a sense of community and solidarity among its speakers.

7. Cognitive Benefits:

Bilingualism or multilingualism, which can result from language revival efforts, has been associated with cognitive benefits, including enhanced problem-solving skills, creativity, and even delayed onset of certain neurodegenerative conditions.

8. Preservation of Endangered Species:

Some indigenous languages are intricately connected to specific ecosystems and the natural world. By reviving these languages, there is a potential to contribute to the preservation of endangered species and surrounding bio-diversity, helping the planet.

Case Study: Maori Language Revival in New Zealand:

One notable case study is the revival of the Maori language in New Zealand. The Maori language, Te Reo Maori, faced a decline in the 20th century due to colonization and cultural assimilation. However, concerted efforts have been made to revitalize the language. Help came in the form of Government Support, Community Engagement, Media Representation, Educational Initiatives, etc. and this Maori language revival serves as an inspiring example of how concerted efforts at the societal, governmental, and community levels can contribute to the revitalization of a language and its integration into various aspects of public and private life.

India, known for its cultural diversity, is home to a multitude of languages. However, many of these languages are facing the threat of extinction, and it is crucial to shed light on the efforts being made to revive them.

The Threat to Dying Languages:

The decline of languages is a complex phenomenon influenced by various interconnected factors. While the specific reasons may vary from one language community to another, common factors contributing to the decline of languages include:

1. Globalization:

Increased global connectivity often leads to the dominance of major languages, diminishing the use and importance of smaller, regional languages.

Economic opportunities and the global marketplace favor widely spoken languages, contributing to the decline of less prominent ones.

2. Urbanization:

Migration from rural areas to urban centers often results in language shift, as individuals adapt to the predominant language of the urban environment, leaving behind their native languages.

3. Educational Policies:

Educational systems that prioritize a few major languages can marginalize and neglect regional or indigenous languages.

Lack of resources or recognition for minority languages in educational institutions can contribute to their decline.

4. Media Influence:

The dominance of a particular language in mainstream media, including television, radio, and online platforms, can marginalize and overshadow minority languages.

Popular media often promotes a standardized version of a language, leaving regional dialects at risk of extinction.

5. Cultural Shifts:

Changing cultural norms and values may contribute to a decline in the use of traditional languages, especially if younger generations perceive them as outdated or less relevant to modern life.

6. Economic Pressures:

Economic factors, such as the pursuit of employment opportunities, can drive individuals to adopt languages that are more widely spoken and economically advantageous.

7. Lack of Documentation and Resources:

Many endangered languages lack comprehensive documentation, making it challenging to preserve and pass down linguistic knowledge.

Insufficient resources for language preservation efforts, including research, documentation, and education, can contribute to a language's decline.

8. Social Stigma:

Stigmatisation of certain languages or dialects may discourage their use, particularly if speakers feel that their language is associated with lower social status.

9. Political Factors:

Political decisions and policies can impact language vitality. Policies that discourage or neglect minority languages can accelerate their decline.

10. Intermarriage and Cultural Homogenization:

Interactions between people from different linguistic backgrounds, especially through intermarriage, can lead to the adoption of a single language within a family, contributing to the decline of other languages.

Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to revitalise and preserve endangered languages. Efforts to address language decline often involve a combination of community engagement, educational initiatives, policy changes, and technological interventions.

Revival Efforts Across the Nation:

Several private and public ongoing initiatives and projects aimed at preserving and reviving dying languages are actively working to ensure the survival of these linguistic treasures. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also initiated two schemes for protection of endangered languages, namely 'Funding Support to the State Universities for Study and Research in Indigenous and Endangered languages in India' and 'Establishment of Centres for Endangered Languages in Central Universities'.

Government Initiatives:

The Government of India's Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) was initiated in 2013. The scheme's goal is to ensure that languages are properly documented and preserved for their survival. The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), based in Mysore, is responsible for implementing the scheme.

Role of Technology:

Speech recognition, Smart assistants, Machine translation, Chatbots, Text summarisation, Automatic subtitling, Digital archiving, etc. coupled to Language learning apps, Websites, Social media content, Digital libraries, Oral history repositories and likes of the Language documentation projects are all being put to good use in this revival effort.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the preservation of linguistic diversity is not merely a cultural endeavor but a strategic investment in a nation's economic future. Diverse linguistic skills enhance global competitiveness, fostering innovation, trade, and cultural exchange. Multilingual citizens contribute to a more adaptable and interconnected workforce, attracting international business and bolstering economic resilience. Embracing and reviving dying languages is not just a celebration of heritage; it's an investment in a thriving, economically vibrant society where every language spoken adds a unique thread to the rich tapestry of progress, prosperity, and unity.

Call to Action:

I would like to invite dear readers to share the article, support language preservation initiatives, and contribute to the conversation about safeguarding India's linguistic heritage.