indigenous rights - LingoDigest

When a Language Won’t Awaken: The Hard Truths of Linguistic Revitalization

6 min read

While the revival of Hebrew is a celebrated success, the path of language revitalization is often fraught with failure. The hard truth is that most efforts face immense challenges, from the chasm between classroom learning and real-world use to internal political divisions that can stall progress indefinitely. This realistic look at the revitalization process provides a necessary counter-narrative to romanticized stories of linguistic revival.

Sociolinguistics Culture Native American Languages Endangered Languages

The World’s Smallest Languages: When a Language Has Fewer Than 10 Speakers

6 min read

What happens when a language’s entire world can fit into a single room? We explore the most extreme cases of language endangerment, from the Tolowa Dee-ni’ in the US to Ngan’gikurunggurr in Australia, where fewer than 10 speakers remain. This is a story about the immense pressure on the last speakers, the heroic efforts to save their languages, and the cultural cost of silence.

Sociolinguistics Culture Philosophy Endangered Languages

The First-Contact Linguist: The Ethical Tightrope of Studying a Previously Uncontacted People’s Language

6 min read

What are the ethical responsibilities of a linguist who is the first outsider to document a language from a previously uncontacted people? This article explores the high-stakes world of first-contact linguistics, from the “Prime Directive” debate over non-interference to the modern protocols that prioritize community empowerment over data extraction. We’ll delve into the moral dilemmas of recording a language while potentially altering the culture that speaks it forever.