Extinct Languages: Loss of Cultural Identity & Expression - Essay Sample

Introduction

Extinct language may also be referred to us a moribund language which means a language that is not commonly used by its speakers or maybe on the verge of dying out. Languages are currently dying at an accelerated rate due to globalization and imperialism. It is important to note that language plays an important role in any given society, this is because it helps citizens of that to communicate and express themselves freely, hence when a language becomes extinct, the future generation loses an important part of their culture (Berwick). This essay, therefore, seeks to discuss the Icelandic language as a language that is on the verge of extinction. Icelandic is a language that has been commonly used as a native language in the whole country of Iceland.

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This language is gradually dying because of the high level of digital technology use and social media, statistically, it is approximated that currently, (340,000) people speak the language. In Iceland, most of its young generations are speaking English as opposed to learning their Icelandic native language.

Factors Leading to The Loss of Icelandic Language

The increased number of immigrants living in Iceland has brought about the extinction of the Icelandic language this is because most of them do not know or have little knowledge of speaking the language. As mentioned earlier globalization has played a greater role in the extinction of the language, this, because most of the Icelanders continue to spend most of their time in interacting with technology hence communicating using their native language, has drastically diminished. Most the Icelanders are losing dominance of their language because of tourist, international higher education and high-level academia in which mostly English is being used as the common mode of communication. In Iceland, young people are not finding their native language use, this is because most of the speakers have a developed a negative towards the language hence indicating and demonstrating a vitality indicator of the said language (Romaine 220).

Revitalization of Icelandic Language

There have been attempts to preserve Icelandic language, the president has championed for the need to protect this language, in particular, Professor Jonsson in the University of Iceland has warned that without the knowledge or the use of the Icelandic language, Iceland could end up experience brain drain especially between arts and science professions (Tsunoda 148). The ministry of education has also weighed into the matter and has embarked on a mission of funding open-access databases in every institution to help technological developers adapt the Icelandic language. This will ensure that the language gets into the digital realm hence this will boost positive attitudes towards speakers. The government has also come up with a project to save the extinction of Icelandic named "Modelling the Linguistic Consequences of Digital Language Contract" the main aim of this project is to examine the effects of linguistics of digital language(English) contact on Icelandic. Parents have also been urged to ensure that children receive enough teachings of the native language and ensure that they communicate by use of Icelandic.

Preservation of the Icelandic Language

As mentioned earlier, language plays an important role in a given community. It is therefore important for any society to preserve their native language. Young generation tends to lose some important cultures when their native language becomes extinct. Lose of language leads to a loss of some diversity in data sources in psychology and anthropology. The Icelanders need to maintain their native language to maintain their culture. Preserving language maintains a wide connection to heritage and culture as well as the uniqueness of doing things.

Works Cited

Berwick, Robert C., and Noam Chomsky. Why only us: Language and evolution. MIT press, 2016.

Romaine, Suzanne. "The impact of language policy on endangered languages." Democracy and human rights in multicultural societies. Routledge, 2017. 217-236.

Tsunoda, Tasaku. Language endangerment and language revitalization: An introduction. Vol. 148. Walter de Gruyter, 2013.