Mother tongue as a universal human right

Area of Science:

• Sociolinguistics
• Cultural Preservation
• Human Rights

Background:

• Freedom of expression is a human right, yet minority languages, often spoken, face erosion due to low status and lack of written resources.
• UN Resolution A/RES/61/266 emphasizes the need to protect all languages, especially those of minority groups.
• Even in communities like Shetland, the proportion of fluent dialect speakers is declining, threatening linguistic and cultural heritage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of writers in preserving minority languages.
• To explore the challenges and potential of using translation to elevate dialect status.
• To address the difficulties in publishing minority languages and the risk of cultural exoticization.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the impact of low status and limited written resources on minority language vitality.
• Examination of the role of creative writing and translation in resource development for children.
• Discussion of publishing challenges, including economic viability, authenticity, standardization, and representation.

Main Results:

• A decline in fluent speakers and written resources creates a cycle of linguistic and cultural erosion.
• Writers can create essential resources, particularly for children, to counteract this decline.
• Translation can elevate the status of dialects and challenge the arbitrary distinction between language and dialect.

Conclusions:

• Proactive government policies and funding are essential for minority language preservation.
• Writers and translation initiatives are vital tools for safeguarding linguistic and cultural heritage.
• Addressing publishing hurdles is crucial for ensuring the continued existence and authentic representation of minority languages.