A language Revitalization revitalises a language where its use has declined. Ethnologist’s research implies that there are right now 7,164 live languages in use whereas there are over 7,000 languages in the world, the vast majority of people 96% grasp just 4% of them.
Papua New Guinea: that is located in Australia Northern region. Papua New Guinea’s capital is Port Morseby. The government employee’s languages of Papua New Guinea are English, Hiri Motu as well as Pisin. 800 indigenous languages are over 1000 ethnic groups contributing to PNG culture. PNG had been seen as the original source of various languages documentation.
David Crystal wrote about “language death” in his work. In his book, he explained that languages become endangered when speakers adopt to more influential languages. In Papua New Guinea, a language Revitalization effort focused on conserving and encouraging the country’s diverse language heritage, merging Tok Pisin and local indigenous languages.
Indigenous languages in Papua New Guinea are endangered due to the supremacy of Tok Pisin and English. Dr. Steven Gagua has worked on the language Revitalization program. Gagua has been actively documenting and researching languages that are at risk of fading.
Michael Krauss, in his work “The World Languages in Crisis,” also composed on language endangerment and language revitalization.
The languages whose popularity and adaptation have been greatly reduced makeup those designated for language Revitalization. It happens sometimes achievable for people to try Revitalization of extinct languages utilising a variety of Revitalization methodologies whereas, the aims of language Revitalization varied from scenario to scenario. They generally encompass aimed to boost the language’s popularity among users or to stabilise a current level of use with the aim to stave off language death. The linguistic field of language documentation is firmly associated with language Revitalization. Linguistic try to develop a comprehensive list of language grammar principals, the lexicon and as well as other aspects of language. This methodological approach frequently brings about persons to more concerned about language Revitalization
Classification of importance of language Revitalization
Language Revitalization in Safe languages: languages that have strong cultural and official support have the best chance of protection and Revitalization through intergenerational transmission .Around 10% of world languages are considered “safe” . Safe languages include English, Arabic , Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. The number of speakers , community encouragement, technology, education system , cultural tradition, and rituals are helpful in making a language safe and assisting it Revitalization. A language is considered safe if it has at least 10,000 speakers in the world. Language Revitalization in endangered languages
In “Mexico,” the Ayapaneco language is spoken by only 2 native speakers and is on the verge of extinction. Emphasising the crucial need for language Revitalization.
Language Revitalization in Endangered Languages
According to UNESCO, about 2,462 languages are endangered, emphasising the need for language Revitalization. Endangered languages are at risk of falling out of use and no longer being learnt in the next century. Language Revitalization efforts are necessary to preserve Ayapaneco and other endangered languages.
French Polynesian Language “Paici,“ only 30 native speakers.
Yuchi (USA) only has 10 fluent speakers.
Kaixana (Brazil) only 20 speakers
Lendu (Democratic Republic of Congo) has only 40 speakers.
Yana (USA) has only 5 fluent speakers.
Language Revitalization in moribund languages
A moribund language is one that has ceased to be learnt. A language is considered to be on the verge of extinction when it has only a few speakers left. The demise of language occurs with the passing of its last fluent speaker, making language Revitalization necessary to preserve and promote language diversity. Language extinction is multifaceted, including urbanisation, political coercion, inadequate educational support, cultural assimilation, and societal neglect. Approximately 200-300 languages are classified as moribund, emphasising the importance of language Revitalization initiatives to prevent greater loss. Analogue to USA, the”Tolowa” language has only 5 fluent speakers.
Language Revitalization in dead or extinct languages
A historically and culturally significant language may be considered extinct, but it can still be revitalised through dedicated language Revitalization efforts. Even if they only survive solely through written documentation, these languages can be reborn. Language Revitalization can harness the power of written records and rebuild residual knowledge.
Dead languages are
Ancient Greek (9th BCE to 6th CE) Greece and Eastern Mediterranean Language
Old English (5th C to 11th C)
Akkadian (24th to 8th C BCE) Ancient Mesopotamian language in form of Cuneiform
Latin (Roman Empire, for sacred purposes)
Old Norse (9th to 13th C) Vikings and Scandinavian language
Gothic (3rd–8th C) Eastern Europe
UNESCO classified endangered languages into different categories like extinct, critically endangered, vulnerable, and at risk.
The consequences of language loss: Why Revitalization matters?
Language is called the DNA of any society. Every language has its own cultural heritage and unique characteristics. Just like animal species, language can also go extinct. When a language is lost, we also lose the art, social cohesion, and historical chronicles.
Professor Sipra Basu quotes that “a language death is not precisely a loss of words but also a loss of identities, traditions, and culture. The loss of cultural heritage, including myth, word play, poetry, and wise sayings. In 2800 AD, the greatest scholar Luminae created Urania. But now Urania is a dead language. Zorath is a planet in the Anromeda Galaxy where this language is spoken for holy purposes or in rituals similar to astronomy and cosmology. It has strong rhythm and intonation. However, language Revitalization efforts could possibly gasp new life into Urania, preserving its rhythm and following OVS order. By revitalising extinct languages as Urania, we can revitalise cultural heritage and identities they embody.
Language Revitalization Theory
Evaluating the degree to which a specific language has been dislocated is one of the more important and starting points in language Revitalization. It helps those participating in understanding the finest way to support or revitalise the language.
Ways to revert language shift enhancing.
There are several models and theories that worked for language Revitalization.
Joshua Fishman explains about language Revitalization.
The stages comprised language Revitalization. Language acquisition by adults who primarily act as language learners. Build a demographic connected to society. It is usually more advantageous to concentrate on spoken than written language. Boost the unofficial use of language between all age groups and families in areas where a decent amount of people use language.
Promote fluency in language in areas where all age groups are reaching oral capability. But implement it with an approach that is independent of the goodwill of the state school system.
Encourage the language to be applied in obligatory school education. Where the states promote it and its citizens accept it
Encourage the language used in the workplace and in higher education. If the previous stages have been accomplished and maintained.
Why language dies: The role of Revitalization in preservations
Linguicide is due to natural and political causes. Colonialism is a major factor in language death. When colonisers enforce their own language on natives, ban indigenous languages, and replace their culture, it leads to migration and economic marginalization. All speakers died due to any natural disaster and through violence by others. Language shift is very traumatic and sometimes involves psychological brutality.
An example of Welsh children in 19th and 20th C when the British Government implemented English as the chief language in Welsh schools if anyone didn’t heed their orders. They were made to wear a “welsh notch “around their necks as a rebuke.
Top-down and bottom-up language death.
Revitalization associated government policies that enhance the use of minority languages and identify their official status.
Bottom-up language death is due to language shift (forced, volunteer), evacuation of traditional language urbanisation, and migration.
By focussing on both factors, language Revitalization can help protect linguistic heritage and conserve linguistic diversity.
Can endangered languages be saved or revitalised?
Language Revitalization can be saved by community engagement by developing policies and language camps. A successful example of Revitalization is Hebrew. Ancient Hebrew emerged in 10th century BCE but remained out of use as a spoken language around 2,000 years ago (3rd century–late 19th century BCE). It was used by a limited Palestine. In that region, Yiddish was the spoken language. Meanwhile, Jews revitalised Hebrew. Now Hebrew is spoken by millions. Around 9 million speakers in the world. In Israel, 7 million native speakers are present. About, non-native speakers of Hebrew are 2 million.
Yiddish is an endangered language with almost 150,000–20,000 native speakers; we need to revitalise it. It is used in ultraorthodox Jewish communities. Yiddish speakers, especially younger generations, adopt speaking. Yiddish is on the verge of death. Through language Revitalization efforts, we can preserve its significance.
Why is it important to conserve and revitalise indigenous languages?
Language Revitalization saves human rights. Lang Revitalization produces equality. A language reflects a culture. It carries traditions, history, and identity. Indigenous languages consist of specific knowledge about provincial ecosystems and community governance. Language strengthens social cohesion. Every language has a world-wide tapestry of linguistic diversity; losing a language means we give up a specific good way of understanding the world. Our initiative to save indigenous languages is crucial to stabilising cultural diversity and dignity.
| Models | Areas | Revitalising languages |
| Master-Apprentice program | California | Native American language |
| Bilingual Education | Welsh, Canada | Welsh/English Indigenous/English |
| Legislation | Norway, Sweden, Finland | Sami languages |
| Technology | Apps ( Navajo, Hawaiian) | Indigenous languages |
Asma Noreen, Educationist
Dr. Abid Hussain Nawaz, Post Doc, Ph.D.
Muhammad Mudassir, MPhil Scholar of Social Work
