Summary
Explore the revival of the Yurok language and efforts to save endangered languages. Uncover insights into preservation and cultural significance in this blog from TE.
Why do languages fall out of use?
Why are languages such as Yurok and others disappearing? Because of ever-present and continued globalism in the world, some languages are getting lost, while other languages are growing in order to use for business[HH1] . For example, in the last few centuries, the amount of Spanish and English spoken in the world has increased tremendously. It is a common case of “majority rules,” however; as the use of more popular languages grows, languages such as Yurok are left behind, and their cultures with them.
Why keeping languages alive matters.
The language of Quechua is an indigenous language spoken in the Andes Mountains. With 8-10 million speakers, it is still considered an official secondary language in countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. However as Spanish takes over most of these countries, Quechua is beginning to be forgotten, and with it, its culture. However, Quechua has inspired many words in Spanish such as the colloquial term for “baby”: “wawa” known from the same Quechuan word. Besides Yurok and Quechua, there are many different languages that have been forgotten (or are in the process of) over time. However, it is not just the language that disappears, it is the culture and the meaning behind the language. For example, the Inuit language has over 50 words for “snow”. If that language were lost, all the different meanings of snow would also be lost. By keeping these languages alive, we are able to retain the history and cultures found in these language groups that can even help us further understand our own cultures.
So whether you speak English, Spanish, Quechuan, or Yurok, just know that your language is more than just a language; it’s a canvas that has been painted on by different cultures throughout history.
