Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Spain
Delegate Name: Madelyn Lower
Committee: The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Topic: Indigenous Languages
Country: The Kingdom of Spain
Delegate: Madelyn Lower, New Prairie High School, New Carlisle, IN
The United Nations defines indigenous languages as not just methods of communication but also “extensive and complex systems of knowledge.” Indigenous languages are critical to the cultural identity of numerous communities, but many are at risk of extinction. The Division for Inclusive Social Development estimates that almost 50 percent of today’s spoken languages will be extinct by the year 2100. In response, the United Nations General Assembly launched the International Decade of Indigenous Languages between 2022 and 2032, highlighting the urgency to take action. Spain has officially recognized Basque, Catalan, and Galician as endangered indigenous languages spoken in various regions of Spain. These languages are experiencing significant declines in usage, along with approximately 3,075 additional languages worldwide.
The Kingdom of Spain expresses deep concern for the increasing disappearance of these languages and promotes immediate measures to be taken to prevent their loss internationally. Spain would like to draw the attention of the United Nations in conjunction with the Permanent Forum in efforts to restore and protect indigenous languages worldwide. Spain has utilized digital media, including news articles and social media platforms, to make these languages more accessible. Semente, meaning “seed” in Galician, is a social movement focusing on providing education to revive the Galician language. In 2023, Spain passed legislation permitting the use of Galician, Catalan, and Basque to be used for conventions in the lower house of parliament, making the languages more politically relevant.
In order to restore endangered languages and prevent the disappearance of any additional indigenous languages, the Kingdom of Spain proposes the creation of language resources and interpreting services. Our globalized world can utilize digital media platforms to promote the usage of these services and resources. Teaching younger generations these languages will encourage their usage in modern society. A partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) would boost the bilingual education of youth, which would not only accelerate language revival but also advance global trade and relations with easier communication. These bodies, in cooperation with local groups, would foster the use of heritage languages in contemporary society.
Citations:
Indigenous Languages, www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/04/Indigenous-Languages.pdf. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.
“UN DESA Policy Brief No. 151: Why Indigenous Languages Matter: The International Decade on Indigenous Languages 2022–2032 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-no-151-why-indigenous-languages-matter-the-international-decade-on-indigenous-languages-2022-2032/. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.
Wyschogrod, Ezra. “Indigenous Languages in the Internet Age.” JNCL, JNCL, 27 Nov. 2019, www.languagepolicy.org/post/indigenous-languages-in-the-internet-age.
