A linguistic tsunami: an early warning system for languages at risk

Abstract

The world’s languages are in crisis and linguists estimate that between 50 and 90% will disappear before the end of this century (Grenoble, 2012). As a result of colonisation, nationalism, urbanisation and globalisation, a linguistic tsunami has been unleashed, with a handful of major world languages swamping others. The rate of language loss today is unprecedented as this small number of dominant languages rapidly expand. Small minority languages are most at risk, but even large regional languages, such as Acehnese with millions of speakers, are not safe. As in the case of a tsunami resulting from an earthquake, typically it is too late before speakers realize what is happening. Language shift is often already well-progressed and irreversible before people are aware of it.

In this paper we investigate the early warning signs of imminent language shift and what we can do so that minority languages have the best chance of survival. We draw on the local situation in Aceh, as well as other parts of the Austronesian speaking world and Australia, where the record of language loss is the worst anywhere in the world. Language shift in Australia is well-progressed (NILS I, 2005; Marmion et al, 2014). In Indonesia it is more recent. Lessons learned from places like Australia and Taiwan have relevance for Indonesia today.