G20 Radio Bulletin 93 - Indigenous languages may face extinction within the next 20 years
At present, Brasil hosts approximately 274 indigenous languages, a notable decrease from the estimated 1,200 languages documented before European colonization. Listen to the report and find out more.
Reporter: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the period from 2022 to 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) to emphasize the urgency of preserving these languages. According to the 2010 census by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Brasil currently comprises approximately 274 indigenous languages. However, scholars estimate that prior to European arrival, there were approximately 1,200 such languages.
Language professor Minuro Augustinho Cruz, with expertise in Wapichana, has dedicated 12 years to working in the Tabalascada Indigenous Land in the state of Roraima. He takes pride in his role as an interpreter and translator, contributing to the community's well-being.
Minuro Augustinho Cruz: As educators, we are actively bolstering and celebrating our cultural heritage. Personally, I view my involvement as a meaningful contribution to my community.
Reporter: However, researcher Ana Suelly Arruda Câmara, who serves as the coordinator of the Indigenous Languages and Literatures Laboratory at the Institute of Letters, University of Brasília, forecasts that within the next 50 years, approximately 20 indigenous languages in Brasil may face extinction. Câmara underscores the significance of declaring a decade dedicated to indigenous languages, stressing the necessity for concrete implementation strategies. The preservation of a language encompasses multifaceted considerations, including social dynamics, the aspirations of indigenous communities, and governmental commitment.
Ana Suelly Arruda Câmara: Merely relying on linguists and anthropologists is insufficient for language preservation. In my view, revitalizing a language requires active engagement of the entire community. This involvement could take various forms, such as intergenerational learning with children acquiring knowledge from their grandparents, or adults mentoring one another in a master-apprentice dynamic. Ultimately, the revival of a language hinges on its oral use and requires sustained, long-term effort.