Language plays a crucial role in the daily lives of all people and keeping native dialects alive is invaluable to indigenous culture. Currently, there are more than 370 million indigenous people in the world, living across more than 90 different countries and speaking an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages. Sadly, languages around the globe continue to disappear at an alarming rate due to a variety of factors, and a huge percentage of those are indigenous languages. Languages and different dialects are some of the most powerful representations of family and history, which are passed onto the next generation.
August 9th commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This date is in recognition of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva, back in 1982. Our interest and support of this day also stems from the news that this year’s celebration is also dedicated to Indigenous Peoples’ Languages.
It is estimated every two weeks; an indigenous language disappears; cementing the value around the need for interpreters and translators. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s across Australia are speaking out about the need to maintain, preserve, and strengthen Indigenous Australian languages.
Quick history lesson.
Did you know? At the time of European settlement in 1788, more than 250 Indigenous Australian languages including 800 dialectal varieties were spoken on the continent.
There is currently a new wave of activity, with people in many communities working to learn more about their languages, ensuring they are passed on to the next generation. This wave is something we are incredibly passionate about too. KP International Translators offers a wide range of quality services that are continually improving and progressing. Our services extend to over 150 languages and dialects through a large network of accredited language specialists. We pride ourselves on our global service, which is available 24/7. The exciting news is that we are in the process of expanding our services to include more indigenous dialects.
Language is more than just a means to converse and communicate; it’s an essential characteristic that makes people who they are. Dialects create unique communities and play a central role in our sense of identity, which is why keeping them alive is so important. Language also carries meaning beyond the words themselves and is an essential platform enabling cultural knowledge and heritage to be passed on. Interpreting and translating, language teaching and learning, and producing resources in Indigenous Australian languages provide significant economic, social, and intrinsic benefits to individuals and communities.
Many Indigenous Australians would agree, strong cultural identity enables people to feel proud of themselves and their culture and maintaining one’s language raises self-esteem. Today, we celebrate this day with others around the world and support traditional language in maintaining strong cultural connections.
By talking to people in a language they understand, from a source they can truly trust; KP International Translators can walk the talk when it comes to embracing and preserving our languages.
More news next month!