COVID-19 pandemic underlines importance of indigenous languages
Dear Editor,
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that an outbreak of the viral disease COVID-19 which was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China had reached the level of a global pandemic. With the world in a panic, countries have implemented various strategies to communicate lifesaving information to the public. One such strategy is the incorporation of minority languages in the dissemination of information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Guyana, like many other countries, has taken steps to communicate important information in both official (English) and unofficial (Indigenous, including Creolese) languages.
The Guyanese Languages Unit at UG is currently working with the Ministry of Public Health to translate crucial information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic into Wapishana, Makushi, Wai-Wai, Akawaio, Arekuna, Patamuna, Carib, Warrau, Lokono, and Creolese. However, the language dynamics in Guyana is much more complex than one would think. With Guyanese Standard English being the sole official language, the Indigenous languages inclusive of Creolese, the language spoken by the vast majority of the population, hold less prestige in the society. The COVID-19 pandemic therefore gives us an opportunity to reevaluate and reassess the importance of these languages, showing that all languages are equally important.
The initiative to translate critical information in these languages has the ability to change person’s perception of these languages and save lives simultaneously. It was reported that people are responding positively towards the information transmitted in their languages and are following the necessary guidelines. This supports the position of Education Specialist, Hurisa Guvercin, that hearing the sound of one’s mother tongue gives trust and confidence. In addition to change in language attitudes, this project has numerous indirect benefits ranging from issues relating to language change, language identity, language maintenance and revitalization, language planning and policy, and language rights.
As it relates to language change, translating medical terms and technical jargon into Indigenous and Creole languages may lead to lexical borrowings and extension of the ‘everyday’ vocabulary of the general public. For example, new words are added such as quarantine; new acronyms such as COVID-19 (shortened form of the actual name of the virus - Coronavirus disease 2019); and new words such as covidiot!
Additionally, the use of minority languages to disseminate information about COVID-19 paves a way for sustaining culture and creating a social and political environment that encourages multilingualism and respect for Indigenous languages. It can also lead to the enactment of laws that recognize and protect minority languages; encourage an education system that values mothertongue, and create creative collaboration between community members and linguists to develop writing systems. Responding to the initiative of the translation project, some Guyanese stated that they identify themselves with their language and that hearing their languages on the radio caused them to feel good about themselves.
The speakers of Creolese and the other Indigenous languages interviewed indicated that they will like to continue receiving information in their languages. This can lend support to language maintenance when the languages are used in various social institutions. The initiative to incorporate minority languages in the dissemination of information regarding the pandemic can also be seen as a strategy for the well-needed revitalization of the Indigenous languages. This potential revitalization strategy can also lead to language policy review in Guyana which can also result in Creolese and the Indigenous languages having higher social statuses.
The initiative may also be beneficial as it relates to Language planning and language rights. Now more than ever, the importance of Creolese and our Indigenous languages in saving lives and preserving our nation is evident. It would be advisable for our Government to capitalize on this opportunity to develop the language policies and charters recognizing the value of these languages in order to place them on an even keel as official languages, and respecting the basic human right to use one’s language. When people are being denied access to their language in all areas, such as getting information relevant to their health, safety, laws, etc., they are being robbed of their language rights and also cannot participate in important decision making processes. Is that the kind of Guyana for which we strive?
The aim is not to have a narrow view of what this initiative can do but to open one’s eye to the language situation in Guyana and to have a new outlook on what these languages mean to us as a people. The importance of language cannot be overstated, not only as it relates to this global pandemic, but as we move forward post-pandemic. The access to accurate information in a form that is comprehensible is a basic human right - one that should never be denied to any human being regardless of socio-economic status, geography, race, etc. It is also important to remember that the coronavirus outbreak endangers the health of all of us, with no distinction to language. Providing information to speakers of
Creolese and the Indigenous languages will not only assist in the prevention of this disease but also it can build awareness of the importance of these languages. Yours faithfully,
Onefa George, Leesia King and Taiesha Hercules (Students of the Language and Society Class, 2019/2020, UGBC).