Reference 1
When discussing the importance of protecting minority languages, the World Atlas of Languages (WAL) project by UNESCO1 and the “Rights of Linguistic Minorities: A Practical Guide for Implementation2” by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provide in-depth insights and supporting evidence. These resources collectively emphasize the necessity and urgency of protecting minority languages, not only because languages are key elements of cultural identity and heritage, but also due to their immeasurable value in promoting social inclusiveness and diversity.
UNESCO’s World Atlas of Languages project, by comprehensively documenting the status of over 8,000 languages globally, reveals the significance of linguistic diversity as a unique human heritage and wealth. This project not only highlights the crucial role of maintaining linguistic diversity in improving literacy rates, enhancing access to public services, combating stigma and discrimination, and bridging the digital divide, but also underscores the contribution of multilingual environments to the richness and vitality of global societies and cultures.
The ‘Rights of Linguistic Minorities: A Practical Guide for Implementation’ by the OHCHR provides an operational framework aimed at assisting policymakers and rights holders in better understanding and implementing language rights. The guide emphasizes the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of linguistic minorities, particularly in achieving a balance between national official language or language policies and respecting the linguistic preferences of minorities. Additionally, the guide explores how to effectively support the implementation of these rights and promote the participation and inclusion of minorities in public life through a consistent approach. Notably, I found three important principles in this practical guide regarding the establishment of minority language education:
- The principle of proportionality, based largely but not exclusively on a number of practical factors: the number and concentration of speakers of the language, the level of demand, prior use of the language as a medium of instruction and therefore availability of resources.
- The principle of active offer, where public education in minority languages is accessible and actively encouraged.
- The principle of inclusiveness, by which all students are given an opportunity to learn the official language and about inter-cultural understanding.
2.Language Rights of Linguistic Minorities: A Practical Guide for Implementation | OHCHR
