Language Magazine, a publication which focuses on bilingual and dual language education in the United States and abroad, has issued a brief article about The International Year of Indigenous Languages.
An “International Year” is chosen by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This year, UNESCO brings awareness to “the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote indigenous languages around the world.” According to Language Magazine, there are 6,000 -7,000 world languages, yet 97% of the world’s population speak only 4% of these languages, “while only 3% of the world speak 96% of all remaining languages.”
The International Year of Indigenous Languages attempts to stall “further loss of languages and their associated history, traditions and memory would considerably reduce the rich tapestry of linguistic diversity worldwide.” Participants will have access to “a calendar of events, partners’ space for collaboration, access to resources in video, audio, image and text formats, and information about different partnership modalities and sponsorship benefits,” and will be provided information about local events in their “respective regions, discover how to participate, contribute and benefit from the rich variety of activities.”
For those interested in this project, you can find further information about IY2019 through the website.
