THE United Nations (UN) has designated 2019 as The Year of Indigenous Languages. The UN has explained that having recognised their vulnerability, the UN has proclaimed 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages, “to draw attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize, and promote indigenous languages.” The fact that the UN has decided to dedicate a year to indigenous languages is evidence of the international community’s view that the subject is one of global importance.

An indigenous language is one that is native to a region and used exclusively by indigenous people. The language forms a linguistically distinct community that has been settled in an area for many generations.

That languages are disappearing is an undisputed fact. According to experts, there are presently 6,809 “living” languages worldwide – although there may be a few unrecorded languages spoken only in inaccessible areas. Of those “living” languages, 90 per cent have fewer than 100,000 speakers. This means that about 6,100 languages are facing extinction. 46 languages are known to have only 1 native speaker, while 357 languages have fewer than 50 speakers.

Languages disappear because many young people choose not to learn their native language, or they are forced by society to neglect their language. At the same time, older natives who speak their language are dying out. Eventually, the language is lost.
The death of a language has consequences. When a language dies, so do the songs, stories, and insights of an entire culture. However, keeping an indigenous language alive allows communities to preserve knowledge acquired over the years, and fosters pride of ownership and connection with the native land. Such values are priceless.
Guyana is a country with a rich history which connects our past experiences and knowledge to our present beautifully diverse tapestry. It is therefore in our national interest to preserve our cultural heritage.

Scientists have found that our diverse indigenous population goes back to about 12,000 years. Experts agree too that originally, indigenous peoples such as the Maiongkongs, Maopityans, Drios, Tarumas, Amaripas, and Pianoghottos lived here, but disappeared after colonisation. Presently, nine indigenous peoples live in Guyana: Akawaio, Arekuna, Arawak, Macushi, Wapishanas, Patamona, Waiwai, Warrau, and Carib. Those peoples belong to three broad linguistic groups: the Arawakan, the Cariban, and the Warrauan. Those broad groups are each subdivided into numerous distinct dialects which are spoken in various communities and capture their unique cultures. As a country which values our diversity, we cannot afford to lose any of those cultures.

On September 1, 2015 – the beginning of that year’s Indigenous Heritage Month – President David Granger delivered his address at the Sophia Exhibition Complex. His Excellency declared, “The rich and diverse culture of our indigenous peoples need to be safeguarded….Today, I wish to particularly express my hopes for indigenous languages in this republic.”

He announced his government’s plans for the revitalisation of indigenous languages. Those plans include completion of the dictionaries of the Carib and Patamona languages, as only seven indigenous languages had dictionaries.

He said too, “It is time for ignorance to end. It is time for Guyanese people to embrace indigenous languages. Your government favours cultural retention and cultural continuity. We respect your identity and heritage, and we want to see those languages preserved and propagated.”

Thus the Indigenous Language Revival Project was born.

The project, now being administered by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, and spearheaded by Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, has widened its reach and deepened its scope. The project now includes numerous indigenous languages and dialects. Languages are being taught in schools, vocabularies are being documented, and indigenous communities are being encouraged and empowered to preserve their linguistic cultures.
The government has announced that $36 million has been allocated to cater for events to be held in celebration of International Year of Indigenous Languages. Minister Garrido-Lowe has said that a detailed plan of action will soon be announced. The minister revealed that to that end, discussions are underway with representatives of the Guyana Language Unit (GLU), Department of Language and Cultural Studies – Faculty of Education and Humanities, and the Amerindian Research Unit, University of Guyana. Professors of linguistics at the University of the West Indies are also involved.

Guyana’s government, headed by President Granger, has repeatedly emphasised the need for the preservation of our cultural diversity, including our languages. Evidently, the international community shares that view. Guyanese, therefore, may be reassured that the administration will do everything necessary to safeguard our cultural heritage.