Imperialism
and nationalism can make the language of the majority widely spoken and valued.
In the Soviet era, the Russians systematically suppressed the native languages of
the people they ruled over in order to suppress and evoke submission. the loss of
the freedom to speak your native language is the loss of a basic human right. This
‘Russification’, oppress the individual minorities in favor for a unified
country. In Siberia, the Russian government had set up boarding schools for native
Chulym children. In those boarding schools, the children were actively discouraged
to speak their native language and forced to speak only Russian. However, language
can also be empowering through nationalism. The Irish used their native tongue
as a way to rebel against the lingua franca of English during the Troubles in
1962. It became a way for Irish people to reclaim their identity and unify the
community. Fluency in the language came with a sense of deep nationalism and empowerment
against the British oppressors. Now it is spoken by the younger generation,
with the introduction of a TV show in the language.
Institutions
and the education system of a community is another way language can be
oppressive. Generally, native languages are stamped out in a public education
system, where everyone must speak the same language. For instance, the public
schools in India require fluency in English, despite the fact that English isn’t
native to that region at all. This forces a whole generation of children to adopt
a new identity of an English speaker, ready for a modern world, all the while
abandoning their own roots. When the younger generation of a community cannot
speak the language, the language is considered to be endangered. However, generalized
education can create a more connected and equal world, where everyone is on the
same level. People from all over the world are able to communicate with each
other through a common language, in this case English. With English being one
of the most powerful languages in the world, being fluent in this language can
make the new generation more capable of succeeding economically, hence
empowering them. Institutions can also have a positive impact on a community as
well. For example, the Maori in new Zealand use institutions to teach the
language to their kids. In 1989, the first Kohanga Reo, or language nests,
were founded nationwide with the intention to provide a place to teach the Maori
language to the next generation. Thanks to these institutions, learning the
native language is facilitated and encouraged, alongside English. These language
nests also brought attention to the Maori language and culture, and as of 1987 Maori
is an official language of New Zealand.
Geography
is also another way language can become oppressive. Indigenous languages are always
hidden away in remote villages, far away from the modern world, untouched by
time. To find the native speakers of Kallawaya,
Gregory and David had to climb mountains and struggle to get to the village
where it was spoken. In this case the language is too localized and difficult
to get to. This gives the language a higher risk of dying out since the
speakers can’t spread it to other regions with ease. However the geography of a
place can also change the vocabulary of a particular language. For the
Kallawaya speakers, their language was unique because of their immense knowledge
of plants undiscovered by western science. The Aboriginal people in Australia also
have so many names for exclusive, native geographical features. This kind of knowledge
has a usefulness and gives the language value beyond the sentimental sort. This
importance can empower a community.
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