Linguistic Diversity and Multilingualism
Why linguistic diversity and Multilingualism is important for all of us?
8,324 languages are documented with approximately 7,000 still in use.
Linguistic diversity is one of the key pillars of inclusive, diverse and resilient knowledge societies. Language enables the delivery of information and knowledge coded in different sociocultural, political, and economic contexts. Information and knowledge are key determinants of wealth creation, social transformation, and human development.
And yet more than half of all languages are in danger of falling out of use.
What happens if we lose languages?
The loss of a language may be experienced as a loss of traditional knowledge and culture.
Each language is a unique expression of the human experience in the world.
Their loss would have a direct impact in the life of thousand of peoples and communities around the world.
Each Indigenous language is priceless for humanity.
They are treasures overflowing with history, values, technical skills, literature, spirituality, and knowledge that have been developed over millennia.
Are Indigenous languages in danger?
Yes. The reasons for the endangerment vary across communities. Many Indigenous peoples face tremendous challenges such as assimilation, enforced relocation, and unequal access to information and education that threaten their wellbeing as well as the vitality of their languages.
We can't let endangered languages fall out of use.
Human potential is at its richest and most interesting when there is a variety of perspectives and traditions to explore.
How to preserve, promote and revitalize languages?
There are many solutions in place, such as normative instruments, policies and tools, capacity building programs, content development, and international cooperation mechanisms - the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032).
IDIL Video CoverUNESCO Secretariat for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
UNESCO leads the IDIL 2022-2032
To support the preservation, revitalization and promotion of Indigenous languages, notably in the framework of the Global Action Plan of the International Decade.
UNESCO is acting as the lead United Nations agency to support the preservation, revitalization and promotion of Indigenous languages.
We highlight the cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and other relevant agencies including The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The Global Action Plan presents a common vision, impact, outcomes, outputs and activities for the preservation of Indigenous Languages.
Indigenous people mostly from Latin America celebrating the International Year of Indigenous languages in 2019 (21st Century) by UNESCOUNESCO Secretariat for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
All interested actors are invited to:
· Organize cultural, and information sharing, and promotional events
· Support and sponsor events, activities and projects
· Provide know-how, human resources, equipment, tools and other facilities
· Promote the IDIL 2022-2032 through your communication channels and activities.
What technology can do to preserve and revitalise Indigenous Languages?
Woolaroo provides a translation for the word "tree" in Yugambeh
What technology can do for Indigenous Languages?
One of the ressources to preserve Indigenous languages is Woolaroo: the web-app that uses machine learning to bring endangered languages to life for people around the world to explore and for communities to use to teach future generations.
The development of concrete technological solutions for promotion of languages is important for empowerment of language users. In the spirit of providing users with powerful tools to preserve their languages, Woolaroo was born: the web-app that uses machine learning to bring endangered languages to life for people around the world to explore and for communities to use to teach future generations of language speakers.
Using trees Indigenous to the region where the languages are spoken to represent each dialect, the project is a digital woodland composed of language ‘species’ and their stories with the hope of supporting each one so it can continue to blossom year after year.
