Ethics and Revitalization of Dormant Languages: The Mutsun Language
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Language revitalization (either increasing the use of an endangered language or bringing back a language with no speakers) brings up many ethical issues, beginning with whether it is even legitimate to attempt such revitalization. Language communities and linguists must address these issues if revitalization is to succeed in any of its goals. In this paper, we discuss the ethical issues we have encountered and the choices we have made about them during revitalization work with the Mutsun language (a dormant Costanoan language of California). We argue that language revitalization is a useful and legitimate application of linguistic knowledge. 1. Introduction. Revitalization of a language with no fluent speakers (a dormant language) is a challenge that increasing numbers of Native American communities, as well as some communities elsewhere, are undertaking. Revitalization of a dormant language exclusively from archival materials raises many ethical issues for both community members
Authors: Natasha Warner, Quirina Luna, Lynnika Butler
Language: English
Subfield: Linguistics and Language
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2243553570