Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Ukraine
Delegate Name: Nico Sproule
General Assembly: Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee
Indigenous Languages
Ukraine
Nico Sproule
It is estimated that an indigenous language dies every two weeks, an occurrence than can be attributed to colonialism, language suppression, and competition with more widely spoken languages (Toth). Ukraine is acutely familiar with these issues, having experienced widespread language loss and suppression throughout history. Thus, Ukraine remains committed to safeguarding and revitalizing indigenous languages both within the country and around the world.
Currently, Ukraine recognizes three indigenous languages within its borders: Crimean Tatar, Karaim, and Chagatai. Ukraine has worked to support the revitalization of these languages through the Law on Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine, which guarantees indigenous groups the right to an education in their respective languages and supports the creation of media in indigenous languages (Fremer). Additionally, Ukraine has pursued the preservation of the Crimean Tatar language through the creation of the National Corpus of the Crimean Tatar Language. This initiative is part of the Ukrainian government’s Strategy for the Development of the Crimean Tatar Language for 2022-2032, which aims to increase the use of the Crimean Tatar language in schools and other areas of public life (Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine). In collaboration with the Council of Europe and the European Union, Ukraine has also established a road map that describes actions the country will take to enhance language education in indigenous languages throughout Ukraine’s school system (George).
Globally, varied efforts have been made to encourage the preservation of indigenous languages, but these initiatives still need to be bolstered. The efforts of universities, especially in the United States, to implement classes teaching indigenous languages has shown wonderful progress (Lusin et al. 19) but it is vital that indigenous language education remains accessible and prevalent throughout primary schools as well. The United Nations has also participated in these efforts through the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which has made various recommendations as to how indigenous languages can best be revitalized (UN Department of Public Information). These efforts, along with the UN’s proclamation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032 have formed a very meaningful endeavor, but more work needs to be done. Ukraine believes that individual nations, along with help from UN initiatives, should be encouraged to increase the use of indigenous languages in public schools, public life and throughout local and national government.
Works Cited
Fremer, Iana. “Ukraine: New Law Determines Legal Status of Indigenous People.” The Library of Congress, 2 Aug. 2024. loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2021-08-02/ukraine-new-law-determines-legal-status-of-indigenous-people/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
George, Ashley. “Ukraine Focuses on Minority Languages.” Language Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024, www.languagemagazine.com/2024/04/30/ukraine-focuses-on-minority-languages/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Lusin, Natalia, et al. “Enrollments in Languges Other Than English in US Institutions of Higher Education, Fall 2021. Modern Language Association of America, 2023, pp. 12, mla.org/content/download/191324/file/Enrollments-in-Languages-Other-Than-English-in-US-Institutions-of-Higher-Education-Fall-2021.pdf.
Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine. “Creation of the National Corpus of the Crimean Tatar Language is underway.” Government Portal, Government of Ukraine, 5 Mar. 2023. kmu.gov.ua/en/news/tryvaie-stvorennia-natsionalnoho-korpusu-krymskotatarskoi-movy-minreintehratsii. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
Toth, Katalina. “The Death and Revival of Indigenous Languages.” Harvard International Review, Harvard International Review, 19 Jan. 2022, hir.harvard.edu/the-death-and-revival-of-indigenous-languages/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
UN Department of Public Information. “The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Backgrounder.” United Nations. un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/04/Indigenous-Languages.pdf.
