The Significance of Language in Indigenous Culture essay
The issue regarding the significance of language in various social movements has been widely discussed in both the academic literature and the media. The role of language in indigenous culture deserves special attention because language and culture are two interrelated things. Actually, the concept of culture refers to “knowledge, experience, meanings, beliefs, values, attitudes, and religions, concepts of self, the universe and self-universe, relationships, hierarchies of status, role expectations, spatial relations, and time concepts” collected and utilized by a particular group of people over many generations.1 In other words culture is reflected in various language patterns, influencing the process of communication. Indigenous culture involves a set of activities that are deeply rooted in the past. Besides, “indigenous culture affects the development of language,” promoting science knowledge and social growth.2 Because of the rapid decline in language diversity of indigenous people, there is the considerable decline in cultural diversity. Undoubtedly, these changes are caused by historical developments, such as imperialism and colonialism, intensive global economic development, and the growth of militarism. Besides, cultural beliefs affect the use of language by indigenous peoples. Thesis statement: Language plays an important role in indigenous culture as it is part of culture and cannot exist without culture.
Analysis of the relationship between language and indigenous culture
The relationship between language and indigenous culture has been analyzed in recent research. It has been found that “in Indigenous American beliefs we see that language is the embodiment of life, the spirit, providing sacred teachings within it and through it.”3 It is very important for Indigenous people to preserve their native language, promoting its spiritual effects and maintaining its cultural aspects.
In many countries, Indigenous people fail to enjoy the basic indigenous rights, which are considered to be crucial in establishing a context for the proper autonomous development, contributing to the survival of indigenous culture. The right to use one’s own language forms the basis of effective social development. Since colonization, this right has been denied by the dominated nations. They considered that language could become “an obstacle to assimilation and national homogenization.”4
Recent research, which was conducted in the form of observation, shows the ways in which language is embedded in culture, cultural heritage and social context of an indigenous community. Special attention in the informal observation was paid to the role of history and its impact on cultural heritage, including the impact of legends, music, songs, dancing, and various cultural practices, which highlight the role of social change on language. The participants brought their experiences of language and culture based on their own cultural heritage. The observation was focused on exploration of the experiences from different indigenous communities, which enabled the participants to take into consideration both basic denominators in the role of language and cultural relationship and the proper strategies aimed at addressing language and cultural revitalization. The observation was held in indigenous communities: Maya community in the U.S. and Ngarrindjeri community in Australia. It has been found that the preservation of indigenous language and culture contributes to each country’s history. The following responses to the set questions regarding the significant role of language in indigenous culture include:
Participant 1: “For Indigenous people in the U.S., languages are linked to their culture, beliefs, values and spiritual identity. Indigenous language reflects the history of indigenous people.”
Participant 2: “Over half of the 250 Indigenous languages in Australia are no longer used. It is very important to preserve those languages that remain. Many of the existing indigenous languages are used only by Elders. This fact means these languages are facing extinction. The proper steps should be taken to record them.”
Participant 3: “No efforts are made in the community to revive the oldest languages. We should encourage the younger generation to use indigenous languages.”
Thus, 90% of the participants support the idea of preserving indigenous language in order to maintain indigenous culture. The informal observation provided much information that helps to analyze the relationship between language and indigenous culture.
Some social problems that have negative impact
on the role of language in indigenous culture
There are serious social problems that may have negative impact on the role of language in indigenous culture. In fact, “institutionalized racism toward Indigenous Americans has occurred both on and off reservations, in government and in Christian institutions.”5 In other word eradication of native languages may lead to eradication of indigenous cultures. The U.S. Indian Reservations have suffered considerably because of improper policies aimed at eradication of native languages. Many social problems, such as poverty, drug/alcohol abuse, high school dropout rates, unemployment, the spread of various diseases and other factors, had negative impact on the role of language in the development of indigenous culture.
The major problem that affects the role of language in the development of indigenous culture is the culture of Christian Churches. It is known that some Christian Churches see language as the “threat to the culture of their churches.”6 Many Churches do not support the idea to allow indigenous people teach their language at schools. This conflict may lead to serious problems concerning the promotion of the identity of Indigenous communities.
Nevertheless, many Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada continue to teach their children native language, “the language of their grandparents and ancestors.”7 Researchers highlight the problems of eradication of native languages. In 1950s, indigenous children were forbidden to speak their native languages, such as Navajo language. If they made attempts to speak their native language, they were punished. As a matter of fact, “a policy” that forbade Native language use existed in Canada, the United States, including Guam, the U.S. territory in Micronesia.8 There are some positive outcomes of the implemented strategies that address the significance of indigenous language and lead to its revival. Actually, “the Kaurna language once thrived and was spoken by the original inhabitants of Adelaide, but it began to disappear from daily use in South Australia as early as the 1860s.”9 Today, this language is alive because indigenous people are allowed to use it in communication.
Conclusion
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that language can be perceived as culture. Language plays a significant role in the development of Indigenous culture. This research points out to the fact that language can be used as a tool to preserve Indigenous cultures. For many Indigenous people, language is considered to be sacred. In other words, language cannot be separated from the culture it represents. It has been found that cross-cultural communication, effective cooperation, and mutual understanding can help Indigenous people to maintain their indigenous culture, language and identity. Diversity as one of the major concerns that requires using the proper strategies aimed at making a difference in this world.
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