Re: Saving endangered langs (was Re: Extrapolating languages)

Thomas R. Wier wrote:

>From:    jcowan@REUTERSHEALTH.COM
>
>
>>Dirk Elzinga scripsit:
>>
>>
>>>I think that the *sole* determining factor concerning language
>>>preservation efforts should be the wishes of the community.
>>>
>>>
>>Well, I think it's useful to differentiate here between mere documentation
>>and active anti-language-death measures.  The latter, as you say, are
>>plainly a matter for the community of speakers or would-be speakers.
>>I don't see, however, that there are any ethical strictures against
>>documenting a language even if the community (or the larger part of
>>it) is willing to let the language go extinct.
>>
>>
>
>And:
>
>From:    Andreas Johansson <andjo@...>
>
>
>>Quoting Dirk Elzinga <dirk_elzinga@...>:
>>
>>
>>
>>>This distinction is easy for us to make, but there are objections
>>>even to documentation work. I have heard more than once that what
>>>I was doing was "stealing" the language; my access to it was not
>>>perceived as legitimate because I was not a member of the community.
>>>
>>>
>>I find the concept of actively wanting others not to learn one's
>>language difficult to comprehend. Now, that's also true of plenty of
>>other things that others find obvious, but I'd be interested in hearing
>>an explanation of the attitude, if anyone has one to offer.
>>
>>
>
>In a number of cultures, the use of language has magical or
>religious value and must be used in the appropriate ritual
>contexts. In these communities, outsiders simply don't have
>"standing" to use them, and recording can lead to abuse and
>sacrilege that would literally be an offense to the gods. In
>this sense, recording the language can be deeply offensive
>and thus (here's the answer to John's question) there is the
>ethical dilemma about which is more valuable: offending science
>and posterity, or offending present day speakers.
>
>
If they are willing to let their language die, how can they see worth in
it to safeguard from outsiders?  To me, that would appear to be a
blatant contradiction.  If they are not planning to let their language
die out, and are offended at its documentation, you should respect their
wishes, though put your case before leaving.  Otherwise, you are merely
'stealing' something of no real importance to them.

If  you are officially opposed by the community, and by the majority,
you should probably respect their wishes, either way, but I fail to see
how anyone, having heard a good argument for language preservation,
could deny it an opportunity.

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