From what I have Read so Far – Diminishing Languages and Language Learning Techniques
I have been a bit all over the place this last week. I have spent the last week planning on how I am going about this next phase so that I do not waste time. I was not a total success, but I did build an overview, and managed to collect a lot of reading material and add further questions in the question bank. The next step is to get moving on contacting the contacts I found. I also started doing some reading, in preparation for the eventual case study presentation as well as the literature review.
What are Other Countries Doing?
I started off by looking at articles and resources discussing the importance of preserving minority languages as well measures that are taken to be able to preserve certain languages. In one article published on bbc.com titled “Languages: Why We Must Save Dying Tongues”, it states that in the last 100 years, 400 languages have become extinct and by the end of the century, half of the 6,500 languages spoken today will die out (Nuwer, 2014). Similar statistical data is also discussed in another article: “Endangered Languages: Why are so many Languages Becoming Extinct”, published on Communicaid. According to this article: “up to half of today’s living languages will be extinct by the end of the 21st century” (Chauvot, 2016).
Both articles also discuss different reasons as to why a language may become endangered and eventually extinct. The main reason was of course globalization, as some languages prevail over others, be it economically, socially or politically, it will automatically put the minority language on the backburner. Another interesting fact was that of the lack of a writing system for certain minority languages. Writing is relatively recent in comparison to linguistic history. Hence the spoken word was often the only means to share stories, poems and songs. With this in mind, many linguists are seeking the help of technology to come up with ways to preserve such minority languages. Some argue that the loss of a language goes beyond the loss of the spoken word. As indeed some traditions are passed on through speech, the extinction of such language would mean that the traditions and customs linked to that languages become extinct with the language.
In the BBC article, the article revolved around a case study on the Cherokee language to bring about various points in relation to the importance of languages and their preservation. One interesting fact was that some languages have words for very specific objects, situations or feelings that are not shared with other languages. In fact, it can be said that “different languages provide district pathways of thought and frameworks for thinking and solving problems” (Nuwer, 2014). Due to this, now more than ever, apps are being developed as well as language support within other apps and operating systems to encourage people to use their native language as much as possible. That being said, such language use and preservation does depend in demand to an extent. This is because even native speakers of a minority language tend to turn to more global languages it is even harder to encourage foreigners to learn the native language.
Language Learning Techniques and Identifying my Target Audience
In a different parallel, I also started looking into how languages are being thought and studies regarding language techniques. In an EU-funded study conducted in 2017, named “Language Learning to Support Active Social Inclusion: Issues and Challenges for Lifelong Learning” experts looked at various aspects of language learning and language teaching when it comes to migrant students speaking minority language in comparison to students from the host country. Amongst other things, the studies showed that:
- Language proficiency was very important for migrants to integrate in the society and increase employability prospects.
- As languages are an important factor, the authorities need to invest more time and money to provide resources.
- Language can be time consuming and draining. Both parties (learning provider and student) need to make an effort to ensure thar an effective and sustainable plan is created.
- There is a need to promote language diversity and protecting minority languages.
In addition to that a new emerging language teaching technique – Content and Language Integrated Learning – proved to be more effective in younger age groups, and it is a technique that is not used as much in adults. This CLIL technique offers a variety of benefits to achieve social inclusion as it develops intercultural knowledge, understanding and communication skills both for work and socialising.
With this in mind, now I am at odds as to whether to include minors in my target audience as well. Initially I was thinking of targeting expats over 18 years up till their 40s who are in Malta primarily to work, as it the average expat age group in Malta and the majority of the expats in Malta are indeed here because of their job, as opposed to retire. Also, again going back to the Communicad Article, Chauvot (2016) makes a reference to “sponge time” – the age where children “absorb” what they are exposed to, including languages, implying that that age is the best time to be taught a language. So at this point, I think I should also consider whether to interview young expat families as opposed to simply individuals.
Preparing for the Literature Review
At this point in time, I need to structure my literature review, to maximise my learnings from the research and also build a good argument around the topic in question. What I talked about above is a foundation to base my argument up, however I would also be looking at statistics relating to history of migration, human geography of the Maltese Islands and how has that impacted the country when it comes to language learning. There are numerous resources out there, the challenge here is to identify which resources fit the project best.
Bibliography
Chauvot, P., 2016. Endangered Languages: Why are so many languages dying. [online] Communicaid.com. Available at: <https://www.communicaid.com/business-language-courses/blog/why-are-languages-dying/> [Accessed 14 February 2021].
Nuwer, R., 2014. Languages: Why we must save dying tongues. [online] Bbc.com. Available at: <https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140606-why-we-must-save-dying-languages> [Accessed 17 February 2021].
