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Starting in 1995, the Yanomami of the Amazon forest decided to set up schools to teach both their ancestors’ language and the withes’ one. In a matter of years, they will no longer need translators and middlemen and they will be able to advocate for themselves and their communities. Unfortunately, this is but one example and although the intentions are clear and goals are likely to be met it cannot be replicated anywhere else. The Yanomami case got international attention because of the campaigns that Non Government Organizations, like Survival International, organized. Survival International organized a campaign that is taking against action to the Brazilian Government and has sparked some change within their rights.
We know little about the variety of languages within our own countries, let alone dialects. As governments do very little to help preserve history and the lesser-known treasures most of them will disappear with the older generations. As a language vanishes all the culture embedded within it is bound to disappear as well. This is why younger generations should get involved to preserve their elders’ language and traditions. This is where Globalization can play a major role, counterbalancing the negative effects it itself poses on all of us.
Communications and trade have created the major widespread language of English. It is now easier than ever to get to know what happens on the other side of the world. It is however important to understand that knowledge alone is not enough. Both government and civil society need to do something to preserve part of their national heritage. This may include establishing government-funded programs to start schools, centres and events to get people involved and in the know about cultural diversity within their own nation. The civil society moreover, could play a substantial role to foster education, for example. Youth could become involved in researching and lecturing in local schools and universities or may start up an event fostering local diversity. The activities that can be organized for this cause are countless. What really matters is the preservation of national identity. Our roots are our future.
Globalization imposes many challenges on our societies and the way we live. It is a major menace to language diversity and the loss of one’s native tongue is a sad reality for many around the world. It is often said that when a language dies, the culture it supported dies along with it, erasing the culture that created it. This is why urgent action is required in preserving different cultural realities. It should also be noted that the actual means, namely progress and Globalization, that is putting languages at risk can also be used to preserve them if properly used. There is no future without a past behind it.
SOURCES
www.unesco.org
www.ethnologue.com
www.survival.org
www.ipsnews.net
“Education in a Multilingual World”, Unesco Position Paper, 2003.
“Globalisation Erodes Local Languages, fuels ‘Glocal’ English, Rahul Goswami, ipsnews.net
“Spoken Here”, Mark Abley, Heinemann London, 2003
“Mother Tongues”, Helena Drysdale, Picador London, 2001
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Selene Biffi
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