Topic: 2024-Indigenous Languages
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Dia Sriram
Dia Sriram
Greece
Indigenous Languages
Social, Humanitarian, & Cultural Committee
Forest Hills Central High School
Of the approximately 6,700 world languages spoken today, over half are classified as indigenous languages or languages native to a region, spoken by the original inhabitants of that area. These languages serve as oral and historical traditions, and they are a core part of the culture and heritage of indigenous peoples around the world. Alarmingly, however, the United Nations projects that more than half of these languages will disappear by the year 2100.
The loss of Indigenous languages is detrimental to Indigenous and international society as it loses vital components of Indigenous identities and cultural knowledge.
Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) declares the right of indigenous peoples to preserve, use, and transmit their languages to future generations. Preservation efforts generally focus on education, technology, and community-led initiatives. Unfortunately, these efforts face the challenges of globalization, urbanization, and insufficient funding. The international community must act fast to build policies that protect Indigenous languages.
Greece, though not traditionally home to large indigenous populations, has a core linguistic history marked by the preservation of ancient Greek. Ancient Greek, an indigenous language of its time, is considered a cornerstone language for civilization, influencing modern languages, philosophy, and science. Its preservation called for deliberate efforts both in ancient and modern times.
Greece’s efforts to protect its indigenous language mirror the struggles faced by indigenous communities today. For example, during the Ottoman occupation (15th-19th centuries), Greek was smoldered but survived through secret schools and oral traditions. These historical experiences position Greece as an advocate for language preservation.
Today, Greece promotes cultural preservation on both national and international levels. As a member of the European Union, Greece supports and participates in initiatives emphasizing linguistic diversity. The Greek government has implemented educational programs that promote multilingualism, demonstrating how endangered languages can coexist with dominant ones.
Additionally, Greece has supported UNESCO’s efforts to preserve intangible cultural heritage, including languages. The nation’s emphasis on heritage conservation aligns with the global call to protect indigenous languages.
The United Nations has taken significant steps to address the issue of disappearing indigenous languages. UNDRIP, adopted in 2007, provides a framework for protecting linguistic rights. UNESCO declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages which furthered awareness.
Globally, countries have used strategies like funding language revitalization programs, creating digital archives, and incorporating indigenous languages into national curriculums. For example, New Zealand’s efforts to revive Māori through media and education serve as a model. Greece has actively supported such international resolutions and called for increased resource allocation to cultural preservation initiatives.
Greece proposes a multi-faceted approach to the preservation of indigenous languages based on successes around the world. First, Greece proposes a global database containing dictionaries, grammar guides, and audio recordings that are created under UNESCO’s leadership and supported by nations skilled in cultural preservation (such as New Zealand). Second, financial incentives should encourage companies to promote indigenous languages through media, technology, and tourism, using Greece’s cultural tourism success as a model. They could also contribute to the creation of education programs about Indigenous languages. Third, member states should integrate indigenous languages into national curriculums, similar to Greece’s focus on ancient Greek education. Lastly, Greece suggests hosting an annual summit to evaluate progress and to continue to develop the plan to stop the disappearance of indigenous languages.
The preservation of indigenous languages is not only a cultural issue but a global imperative. Greece, with its historical experiences and commitment to cultural preservation, stands ready to support international efforts. With collaboration, education, and innovation, the survival of these invaluable languages can be ensured.
