Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Kenya
Delegate Name: Ruby Bohanan
Committee: Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee
Country: Kenya
Delegate: Ruby Bohanan
Topic A: Indigenous Languages
Kenya has a rich history of indigenous languages, with there being sixty-eight individual ones actively spoken inside the country. The preservation of these languages is extremely important to Kenya, with an official clause in the constitution protecting them explicitly. While English is spoken in Kenya, being one of the official languages, the national language, Kiswahili, is favored by citizens. Indigenous languages are a key part of Kenya’s culture, connecting communities and tribes. However, with the increasing urbanization throughout Kenya, these languages are at danger of extinction. There is a growing standardization of language, specifically English, in education and political systems. Many countries have prioritized big languages over the indigenous languages when teaching, neglecting to teach younger generations the culture of the languages. All countries need to acknowledge these concerns and work together to achieve a sustainable plan for the preservation of indigenous languages.
Kenya believes in the active protection of all indigenous languages, in both national and international policy. Kenya believes that indigenous languages should be preserved in their communities due to their cultural significance. In Keyan schools, from preschool to the third grade, the language of instruction is the indigenous language of the area. From then on, the main language of instruction is English. This helps to cement the community in the area and preserve the language. Doing small actions like this can increase the numbers of fluent speakers in any language while still pushing the official language of the country. Additionally, it makes the population more educated, as citizens are fluent in many languages. While the education system needs to increase efforts towards preservation, so does the media. When indigenous languages are not represented in the media, they can be seen as lesser than official languages. Kenya has a personal problem with this, with English being the most broadcasted language on television, despite most citizens being partial to Kiswahili. Creating more networks with various languages can help to publicize native languages across a wider audience, decreasing negative stigma against the languages. Kenya wants to be a leading example in the usage and preservation of indigenous languages, due to the linguistic diversity present throughout the Kenyan populace.
The depletion of indigenous languages is an issue that effects every country, even in small ways. Kenya believes that a combination of national and international efforts can be made to ensure their preservation. The first steps need to be taken within the educational system, with some instruction happening in a language native to the area. While the United Nations does not have jurisdiction over how things are taught within countries, an implementation of standards for indigenous language education in willing states could have the same effect. These standards could include either teaching native languages or using them as instruction languages, if the area has a high populace of those fluent in the language. Signatory states would have to opt into these standards and implement by a certain time. Another aspect of the issue is the stigma of many native languages, such as being called primitive or unsophisticated. This could easily be solved via educational or media programs. More in depth explorations of languages and culture in the educational system, specifically in areas of high native language speakers, could prevent prejudice against the speakers. In terms of media, the UN could implement standards for media recognizing and using indigenous languages in popular media. This could be in the form of local television stations that occur in the native language of the area or translations of media into various other minority languages. Through these measures, the United Nations can ensure the prevention of further extinction of indigenous languages and their respective cultures.
