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Introduction th Dubai International Academy Model United Nations 2019| 11 ​ Annual Session ​ ​ ​ Forum: General Assembly 3 Issue: Methods to preserve and prevent the extinction of endangered languages in the face of global advancements Student Officer: Aryan Gulati Position: Deputy President Introduction Languages are indispensable tools of personal and cultural expression, that contain centuries of accumulated human knowledge, experience, creativity, and evolution. The extinction of languages leads to the loss of these key socio-cultural aspects of human existence. The disappearance and birth of languages and cultures is not a new phenomenon, however, unprecedented rates of declining linguistic and cultural diversity are being experienced in the face of globalization and development. According to ​ UNESCO, over half of the 6,000 languages spoken around the world today are in danger of extinction by the end of the century. Some languages are lost due to assimilation policies or language planning programs, others because of persecution and exploitation or a plethora of other socio-cultural or economic reasons. In order to preserve the cultural and linguistic diversity of our world, it is paramount that languages are preserved despite globalization and innovation. Preserving endangered languages also allows linguists to study the syntax and structure of these languages in order to better understand languages and formulate truly universal principles as well as study the influences that languages have on each other and their surrounding cultures. In the past few decades, some member states and NGOs have already begun to take action to avoid the extinction of languages through language documentation, language nests and other language revitalization programs. However, there is a need for more attention on the issue as well as international cooperation to implement effective solutions that protect and preserve linguistic diversity despite the constantly changing socio-cultural and economic landscape of the world that threatens the existence of these languages. In order to effectively preserve endangered languages, it is important to understand the cause of their endangerment. The inability of minority and endangered languages to provide economic opportunities and the limited environments in which they can be used along with discrimination against their speakers significantly reduce any benefits of learning these languages. It is essential to create Research Report | Page 1 of 15 ​ ​ th Dubai International Academy Model United Nations 2019| 11 ​ Annual Session ​ ​ ​ suitable conditions for speakers of endangered languages to thrive in order to allow for speakers to learn these languages. Due to the multi-faceted nature of the issue, it is essential that international cooperation and multi-stakeholder cooperation occur at all levels in any attempts at solving the issue. Definition of Key Terms Endangered Languages A language is endangered when its speakers desist from using it, begin to use it in fewer contexts and situations, use fewer of its speaking styles and registers, and/or intergenerational transmission of the language stops. Extinct Languages An extinct language is one with no longer has any speakers and is not learned as a native language by any speech community Intergenerational Language Transmission Refers to the transfer of a language from parents to their children, i.e. when a parent teaches their child how to speak a language. Language Revitalization Language revitalization, also known as language revival is an attempt at halting or reversing the decline of a language or an attempt to revive an extinct language. Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) Less economically developed countries refers to countries that generally have low GDP, standards of living, employment rates, reduced educational opportunities for their population and generally rely on agriculture More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) More economically developed countries refer to countries that have high Gross Domestic Product (GDP), high standards of living for their people, have higher literacy and education rates, and pursue the expansion of manufacturing and service industries. Globalization Research Report | Page 2 of 15 ​ ​ th Dubai International Academy Model United Nations 2019| 11 ​ Annual Session ​ ​ ​ Globalization is a process that involves major changes in the economic, cultural, social and political spheres of society categorized by an ever-increasing integration of these aspects between nations, regions and communities. Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism The term cultural diversity is often used interchangeably with the idea of multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is “a system of beliefs and behaviors that recognizes and respects the presence of all diverse groups in an organization or society, acknowledges and values their socio-cultural differences, and encourages and enables their continued contribution within an inclusive cultural context which empowers all within the organization or society.” Key Issues Changing attitudes in the face of globalization and development It is theorized that language shift is determined primarily by internal changes within communities themselves. While these changes may come in response to external factors and influences, languages are so deeply intertwined with culture and perception of self, that the loss of a language due to external factors is rare. Although external circumstances may influence their decisions, ultimately, speakers decide what happens to their native languages. Families and parents choose to speak a language at home and teach their children, or they do not. The attitude that speakers have towards their language determines the domains in which the language is spoken and if intergenerational language transmission occurs. Mass media and the internet have an adverse impact on the endangerment of languages, leading to cultural and language shifts in many communities. This may be because the Internet and media do not accurately reflect the cultural diversity of the world. There are over 6,000 languages spoken across the world, however, of these, only 500 languages are used online. The Internet and mass media are designed to shape the perceptions, attitudes and opinions of the masses. The lack of language diversity on these platforms leads to the extinction of many endangered languages. Lack of Opportunities and Support for Speakers of Endangered Languages Speakers of an endangered language often have more limited opportunities, economically and socially, than those who speak a more dominant language. This may often lead to bilingualism and the eventual extinction of mother tongues. Research Report | Page 3 of 15 ​ ​ th Dubai International Academy Model United Nations 2019| 11 ​ Annual Session ​ ​ ​ Economic forces play a large role in determining the languages the speakers prefer to speak. Opportunities for employment and business tend to only be available to those who are fluent in the most common and dominant language. This is especially true in more economically developed countries, where there is a wage-based, capitalist economy, rather than less economically developed countries where the economy is generally based on agriculture. Many parents who speak minority languages around the world do not transmit them to their children, worried that doing so may affect their ability to learn the dominant language, and hence their chances of finding a good job. The lack of a suitable environment in which languages can be spoken also determines language shift. As dominant languages and cultures spread, the domains in which minority speakers can use their language reduces. This leads to a condition in which there is no environment for endangered languages to be spoken, making revitalization more difficult. As the domains in which a language can be spoken reduce, even speakers of a language are unable to actually use the language. This becomes more prevalent as the population of speakers reduces. According to one study, there is a minimum threshold of approximately 330 speakers after which language revitalization becomes nearly impossible. As the language population size approaches this threshold, speakers find it increasingly difficult to use their language in a variety of domains. This is because small speaker population sizes are generally associated with adverse language or assimilation policies, voluntary language shifts, reduced intergenerational language transmission, reduced competitive abilities (primarily economic), and reduced willingness to learn and speak a language. Therefore, as speaker population sizes decline, the effort needed to revitalize a language increases significantly, as the drawbacks of not speaking a different, culturally dominant, language increase. Threats to indigenous peoples and languages The vast majority of endangered languages are indigenous languages. Threats to the existence of these languages are generally seen as the direct result of colonialism and colonial practices that decimated indigenous societies, including cultural and linguistic destruction. The implementation of policies of assimilation, forcing the relocation of native peoples, as well as enacting a multitude of other colonial and post-colonial laws and policies has led to the oppression of indigenous peoples and now threaten the extinction of indigenous languages in many regions across the globe. The lack of support for cultural education for indigenous people along with colonial-era assimilation
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