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Languages across the world are at severe risk of dying by the time we reach the end of the 21st century. Presently, there are over 6000 languages in existence. It is very likely that almost half of the existing languages are going to see their end in the next 80 years as warned by Rita Izsák, Independent Expert on Minority Issues at the United Nations. She calls for immediate actions from governments around the world to ensure the protection of the minorities and their languages. Her report says that there are several factors that the minority groups are routinely affected by. The level of their vulnerabilities to these factors are sometimes are far beyond control. These factors include assimilation policies, conflicts and forceful displacements. The dominance of official languages goes against the survival of the minority languages to a large extent. This is very easily visible in countries that have worked towards the promotion of national languages. Integrity, unity and sovereignty are maintained at the cost of the languages of the minority communities. Has a tension-free state been established yet? According to Rita Izsák, efforts to establish peace, unity and integrity with a single language have not been successful. Inter and intra-state tensions continue to exist in multiple forms. Voices are being raised in demand for linguistic rights through an increasing number of threatening movements across the State. It is time that the world realized that languages have far more important roles than just serving as media of communication. They are deeply associated with the identity of individuals or communities. Cultures are incomplete without languages. This is truer at times when incidents of discrimination and elimination are continuously on the rise. No group would want their existence to perish over years. The preservation and protection of their languages is a way to curb any such thing from happening. Building safe and stable societies Protection of the rights of the minority groups and their languages must be ensured by the governments. These are actions that governments are obliged to take as part of human right protection measures. This comes up as a great step towards the prevention of conflicts. These are the first steps that ensure the creation of societies that have the highest level of social and political stability. Rita Izsák further adds that proper and meaningful exchange of dialogues between the government and the stakeholders is all the more important to ensure unity at its highest level. As recommended by the UN Independent Expert, a lot can be achieved in a peaceful manner through discussions. It is really important for the groups to take part in negotiations and facilitate the decision-making processes. It is to be understood that indian languages have never been barriers to national growth and development. Right from the ancient times to the present day, minority languages have continued to face the risk of extinction. The advent of the Internet and massive globalization tend to lay a negative impact on these languages that are struggling to keep themselves afloat for the last rays of hope. Author: Mark Kalton belives in passion to do something. He says, it’s just the passion that keeps you going no matter what age, gender, religion or country you're from. Rise or fall depends just on person's hard work and never on luck. Read more about his views on Translation Services Company and thoughts here language translation services.
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