importance of indigenous languages

The Native American community, along with other communities around the world that have suffered at the hands of colonialism, continue to face several large hardships. Thank you for following our blog, we really appreciate your feedback . Each July, celebrations take place around the nation to mark NAIDOC Week. Why Is Learning Native Languages So Important? Learning your native language also helps connect you to your ancestors and culture in a way that many other things don’t. However, learning about different cultures and backgrounds can help them know that being different is OK. For children who are growing up in a different country than they are ethnically from, it can help them feel more connected to their parents and relatives, those who speak the native language, and it can help them feel as though they have some form of ‘home’. ‘Each language is associated with an area of land and has a deep spiritual significance, and it is through their own languages that Indigenous nations maintain their connection with their ancestors, land and law,’ Martin said. It may appear to more work than benefit at first, but the rewards of eternalizing a people’s dialect through communication are well worthwhile. The long-term effects of colonization and assimilation have ridden many such communities of their native tongue, and unfortunately socioeconomic circumstances today have not made the task of resurrecting such languages any easier. ‘There are teachings in the Indigenous language where there is no English equivalent.’.

‘Recently we had a ceremony where we incorporated three Indigenous languages from different regions into the ceremony. For immigrants or children of immigrants, it’s increasingly important to keep some form of connection with one’s heritage, to serve as a continuous reminder of the hardships and challenges that had been overcome to sustain the immigrant lifestyle. Research has been done surrounding the role bilingualism plays in developing the executive control system of the brain, the section of the brain which monitors and controls multi-tasking, concentration, and the ability to process several different thoughts at once. NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. Circling back to the advancement of the digital world having an impact on Indigenous languages, the digital world may also play an important role in saving languages. Exhibit shows power, importance of Indigenous languages James D. Watts Jr. Aug 30, 2020 Aug 30, 2020 Updated Aug 30, 2020; Return to homepage × Please subscribe to keep reading. This connection can harness itself to a greater appreciation for one’s culture and education, and foster a positive relationship with the education system, one that may contradict the negative experiences among minority groups and the education system in the past. Indigenous tweeting and blogging is a real thing, Mozilla Mexico has translated its browser into 10 indigenous languages, and Facebook has a project that allows volunteers to translate the app into different languages. Exposure to such diversity at a young age may be incredibly beneficial in creating open-minded and diverse youth, but it may also confuse the child and create a lacking sense of identity and belonging. This fact means these languages are facing extinction. Photo of a mural at the Indigenous Forum from the 2014 Bioneers Annual Conference by Zoe Urness. It is important for children to learn that being different is OK. For example, there is an Indigenous phrase for Bendigo that means “the upside-down land”, making reference to Bendigo’s gold mining past. Djokovic Scholars at the University of Belgrade, Native American language immersion programs, http://www.thenicc.edu/index.php/en/native-american-studies-nas. Language and keyboard apps are being developed that help users learn common words and phrases. Today only around 120 of those languages are still spoken and many are at risk of being lost as Elders pass on. By teaching children their native tongues, a sense of identity and belonging is being instilled, simultaneously teaching them to accept and be proud of their heritage and upbringing. [dropcapF[/dropcap]or one, in many communities, be it Native American communities in the US or small tribal communities in parts of Africa, native languages are dying at an alarmingly quick rate. NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Benjamin Mitchell said, ‘Nationally, many place names for our suburbs, rivers, mountains and parks are Indigenous language words. Find out more about La Trobe’s Indigenous Strategy. (Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee, 2006 ) Recognition of Indigenous languages and support for Indigenous language programs stand alongside land rights, health, justice, education, housing, employment and other services as part of the overall process of pursuing social justice and reconciliation in Australia. Q&A with award-winning historian Clare Wright, The delicious history of chocolate and women, © Copyright 2020 La Trobe University. The importance of educating youth in their own cultures, as well as using indigenous languages to educate them, was stressed today during the … Think of the Kimberly region of Western Australia … if you travel through the Kimberly with its large Aboriginal population and the diversity of people within this region, it’s just like travelling through Europe with its changing cultures and languages. A recent New Yorker article highlighted the importance of preserving Indigneous languages, stating, “the loss of languages passed down for millennia, along with their unique arts and cosmologies, may have consequences that won’t be understood until it is too late to reverse them.” Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Anne Martin said languages are the breath of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, making it vital to raise awareness of the importance of Indigenous languages across the country. All rights reserved. NAIDOC’s aims come to life through the support of universities that not only run events throughout NAIDOC Week but weave Indigenous culture into the very fabric of their organisational structure. The Importance of Language in Native American Communities. Wikimedia Foundation encourages promotion of indigenous languages on its projects. (Dot West, National Indigenous Media Association of Australia, Boyer Lectures 1993), (Aunty Rose Fernando, Gamilaroi Elder, 1998), Welcome: It is very important to preserve those languages that remain. The Indigenous language is evolving just as other languages are,’ says McMahon. With a growing number of Native American language immersion programs in the US, there are two significant benefits emerging regarding 1) an increasing number of Native American language speakers, which aids in saving and restoration of such ancient languages, and 2) it allows many high-risk youth from difficult backgrounds to overcome their socioeconomic circumstances and to excel. It might even be a good idea to have them be around people with different backgrounds to help them appreciate it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Children who have grown up in an environment where they’ve been exposed to several different languages have a unique pathway ahead of them when it comes to educational and social development. Language is the expression of our culture and our land. Our native language not only allows us to communicate and connect with one another, but it allows us to understand and appreciate the history of our ancestors and our upbringing. La Trobe University CRICOS Provider Code Number 00115M, The top 8 things to look forward to at Open Day 2017, NAIDOC: The importance of preserving Indigenous languages. La Trobe’s Indigenous Education Strategy – known as ‘gamagoen yarrbat’ – is underpinned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Western philosophies. I like that you point out that it is important for children to learn the importance of diversity. These include: dreaming, cultural integrity, Indigenous knowledge, flexibility, sustainability and survival, determination and empowerment, achievable goals with measurable outcomes, sharing, collegiality, evidence-based practice, and growth. Aboriginal Languages Many children lack interest in their education because they’re missing some degree of personal connection to the things they’re learning. Let’s keep in touch! These include unemployment, substance abuse, and mental health problems. One area that deserves particular attention – and which anchored the theme for NAIDOC celebrations in 2017 – is the resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in Australia. [dropcapF[/dropcap]or one, in many communities, be it Native American communities in the US or small tribal communities in parts of Africa, native languages are dying at an alarmingly quick rate. In a world of increasing intersectionality and diversity, it’s no longer rare to find children with several ethnic backgrounds or upbringings, nor is it necessarily a negative trait. Noticing and paying attention to these words will generate greater appreciation and respect for the significance of language among all Australians. In the late eighteenth century, around 250 distinct Indigenous language groups covered the continent. Learning one’s native language, particularly in the early years of childhood, can combat this. Its origins can be traced back to 1920s Aboriginal groups, who sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. This ‘home’ may not be a physical place, but even having the capacity to think in your native language can serve as a reminder that you’re culturally diverse and always have a ‘home’ to escape to. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NSW Leads Legislative Push to Preserve Indigenous Languages: NSW to Become First State to Pass Laws Protecting Indigenous, NSW Govt to Protect Aboriginal Languages: Aboriginal languag, Peris Urges Support For Constitutional Change, Reviving Indigenous Languages – Not As Easy As It Seems, NSW Leads Legislative Push to Preserve Indigenous Languages, NSW to Become First State to Pass Laws Protecting Indigenous Languages. We cannot have one without the others. (Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee, 2006 ). By connecting with our local Indigenous community and getting involved in celebrations such as NAIDOC Week we can help celebrate our local Indigenous culture and languages. http://www.thenicc.edu/index.php/en/native-american-studies-nas, We couldn’t agree more All in all, there are many benefits to learning to speak one’s native language. There is also the benefit of bilingualism/multilingualism with regards to intellect and academic capacity, particularly for children in the early years of their life.

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