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Despite the fact that more people become bilinguals or even polyglots, numerous languages have been neglected and are very close to extinction. There exist an explicit threat that a century from now they may disappear completely. Therefore, there is a need to make a major effort in preserving these languages. This paper describes how certain countries treat and protect their endangered languages as well as argues a personal responsibility in saving them. Different countries have adopted various measures to preserve their minority languages. For example, Russia has employed its indigenous languages in compulsory education. The Russian Ministry of Education and Science introduced the Nivkh language to primary and secondary schools with children of Nivkh descent in Nogliki, Chir-Unvd, and Nekrasovka of Sakhalin Oblast in an attempt to revive this language. Further, textbooks, dictionaries, and fine literature books were published in Nivkh. In addition, a non-governmental association called RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North) has emerged with the responsibility of protecting and supporting small-numbered languages. Another country that has taken effective measures at language protection is Morocco. This country values its minority languages and especially the regional variation of Arabic. Therefore, research institutes and centers have been created to promote those dialects. Also, the Moroccan media has played a significant role in fostering indigenous languages. In particular, it introduced Moroccan Arabic (Darija) in multiple programs. Moreover, this language has been taught to foreigners in private language schools and public cultural centers. In the UAE, the government has declared Arabic an endangered language. There are complaints that it has been neglected as more people tend to communicate in English. For example, according to case brief writing services, the youth write in Arabic using Latin letters, which is viewed as an erosion of the language. As a result, the government suggested the law that directed learning institutions to use Arabic as the primary language of instruction. This measure was taken after the Federal National Council had expressed their growing concerns. However, the decision to make such a constraining law may pose some challenges. Using Arabic only at primary and secondary school levels would create problems for students who pursue higher education outside the UAE as it could limit the chances of receiving an international scholarship. In addition, it would affect some technological and scientific terms application. By contrast, without such laws, there could be the unavailability of teachers who are fluent in Arabic. Therefore, an optimal solution is to train teachers in Arabic language before sending them to a classroom and to teach students in both languages starting from the primary level of education. Preserving minority languages should not be left to the government only. Even the extinct languages were once widely spoken. Therefore, every person has a duty to ensure that their language does not disappear. As an individual, I practice using my mother tongue to communicate with my peers in social media, which, I believe, will help preserve it. Using my language in social media, where many people have free access to my posts, can help spread and make it known. This action matters as it keeps my language active, thus preventing it from extinction. When people fail to speak a language regularly, some words and phrases become forgotten, and that marks the beginning of the language death In conclusion, there are particular countries that are obliged to save actively their indigenous languages from disappearance. Some successful measures include opening language schools, enforcing strict laws, and creating not-for-profit organizations. Nevertheless, one of the most important means of preserving a language is an individual input.
| Create Date : 27 ตุลาคม 2563 |
| Last Update : 27 ตุลาคม 2563 21:18:02 น. |
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