Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Homayon Khalili
The decimation of Indigenous languages has been a prevalent issue on the world stage for a while, and it is more crucial now than ever to find a solution to this pressing topic. Within South Africa, Indigenous languages hold vital information about scientific and traditional knowledge on ecosystems, conservation, and sustainability that benefits society. Each time an indigenous language becomes extinct, the millennial knowledge of a culture is lost forever to the detriment of indigenous people and humanity. According to National Geographic, every two weeks, a language dies with its last speaker. 50% to 90% of the world’s 7,000 languages are predicted to disappear by the next century. In fact, 52 of the 176 known languages once spoken in the United States are considered extinct. The complex reasons for losing languages include assimilation, lack of resources and written records, and colonization. Overcoming this challenge requires policy intervention, higher education, and technological innovation to make indigenous languages more viable and valuable in today’s world.
The Republic of South Africa, a nation renowned for its cultural diversity, is home to 11 official languages. These languages include Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Tshivenda, Sepedi, Tsonga, Ndebele, Setswana, and Siswati. The native languages of South Africa are a vital part of the country’s identity and cultural heritage. Assimilation colonialism and the preference for Afrikaans and English still create significant challenges for the indigenous languages of South Africa. During apartheid, native languages were forcefully suppressed, leading to lasting social inequalities. Language resonates with countless South Africans as it has been the source of deep-rooted trauma for many who endured this oppression during apartheid when language was used as a tool for segregation and dominance. However, actions have been taken to address the desecration of Indigenous languages by South Africa. For example, after apartheid, reforms tried to grant equal status and importance to all official languages according to the 1996 constitution. Additionally, The Pan South African Language Board was created in 1995 to check how language policies are being followed and to promote the use of native languages in government media and education. South Africa also takes part in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, helping worldwide efforts to keep Indigenous languages alive. Furthermore, South Africa collaborates with other countries with many languages to exchange ideas and strategies for protecting and revitalizing Indigenous languages.
Despite the efforts to preserve Indigenous languages, challenges remain as the eradication of Indigenous languages is still prevalent and continuous within South Africa today. The Republic of South Africa firmly believes and stands at the forefront of efforts to preserve and promote Indigenous languages. From implementing policies to protect Indigenous languages to promoting the use of Indigenous languages in public and private spheres, South Africa heavily advises the priority of the mother tongue and its essentialness. By participating in global programs like UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, South Africa aims to create a future where indigenous languages can flourish and thrive for generations.
