Our catch phrase is on its way.
Dear Fellow Earthlings,
Why am I so interested in saving languages? To me, saving a language on the verge of extinction is something more difficult to achieve than, say, scaling Mt. Everest. The difficulty of the task, however, is something I can dismiss easily as I think of the reward that awaits me if I succeed: the feeling of satisfaction in helping preserve something of beauty and of value.
For those who speak a language natively, that language reflects the ethnicity of its speakers, as well as a substantial amount of their philosophy, history, values, and goals. I ask the parents of those who easily allow the mega-languages of English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Chinese to take over the phonomes of their children at the cost of the vitality, relevance, and utility of their native tongues to keep this in mind: It is possible, through Jingles training, to “construct" within learners of their own language, the speech motor skills, stamina, endurance, and power to counteract the effects of any "larger language" being imposed on the families of people who speak beleaguered tongues.
With proper Jingles training in any language, even post-adolescent learners can acquire the ability (ironically) to speak their native languages with nativelike accents. It is too late for the Yagan language of Chile, for there is only one (elderly) native speaker remaining. But for the Seneca language (which, currently, I am working hard to help by creating Jingles for), there is still hope. At this point, ten Gaënö’ (This is the Seneca word for “Jingles”.) have been developed. Very soon Seneca adults wishing to "learn" their native language will be using these Gaënö’. Soon the the Gaënö’ will be up and running.
Speakers of any language whose future as a viable, general system of oral/aural communication is in jeopardy (be it Japanese or Irish Gaelic, Rapa Nui or Wolof) should refuse edicts to limit that language’s use. For when a language is defined as being limited only to use at home or in ceremonies (and not for science or at work or for business) than its parts will begin to atrophy – and eventually die. This death will then become systemic and the language will plunge headlong into the abyss that we call extinction! To use an overworn English expression, “Use it or lose it.” – which I take the liberty of modifying and expanding here: “If you don’t use your native tongue for all purposes, for all aspects of life – then the quick demise of your language, bound and gagged as it has now become, is assured."
Long live languages! Long live linguistic diversity!
Steve Walker,Earthsaver and Jingles Creator
© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.