Saving Languages: An introduction to language revitalization.
L.A. Grenoble & L.J. Whaley.
New York: Cambridge University Press.
2006

Reviewed by Lone Olebile
University of Georgia

The book ‘Saving Languages’ could not have come at a better time. Many of the worlds’ languages are extinct and many face extinction if nothing is done to save them. Language endangerment and revitalization are crucial issues that need our attention and focus and this book does a wonderful job at it. Throughout the book, readers are sensitized to this fact. Additionally, the author provides scenarios of language revitalization through examples and case studies. For a language to survive it needs to be spoken in different domains and its speakers should want, take responsibility for and support its revitalization (something that should not be imposed by others; instead it should appear as a desire of those speakers).Hence, the authors identify individual, community and national levels in revitalization. The attitudes and needs of each are very important in determining the success of a given language’s revitalization. However, the authors do caution the readers that revitalization issues are very complex. For example, the youth might want revitalization but for completely different reasons from their parents and grandparents. Literacy and orthography are dealt with at length and in detail. Different models of literacy are discussed: traditional, autonomous and functional literacy. An interesting discussion between oral and written literacy clears some existing misconceptions between the two and offer the reader a more informed position. The authors conclude by offering suggestions on creating a successful literacy program and offer very helpful guidelines on how to do so. They suggest well trained teachers, finances, materials, technology and an informed government in issues pertaining to language revitalization.

This text is a must read for language students interested in minority language issues, bilingualism, and sociolinguistics. It could also be helpful for anthropologists, linguists, community leaders, and decision-makers; as well as peoples whose languages face extinction. The book is simple to follow and also reader-friendly. The language is straight to the point and all technical terms are explained explicitly. Furthermore, the structure is very neat and logical as each chapter begins with an overview of the discussion it contains, which seemed beneficial and necessary for additional clarification, especially, for novice readers in the area of language endangerment and revitalization.

In the first chapter of the book, the authors provide the reader with a conceptual framework in which the reader understands language endangerment and revitalization from a global perspective. The reader is awakened to the fact that language revitalization is growing and it is an issue of global concern. Hence, the increased awareness throughout the world to promote heritage language use as many of the worlds’ languages are being threatened. The authors point to the fact that a seriously endangered language needs to be documented quickly since most of them rely on older members of the community to retain them and most of them lack of orthographies. Issues of language vitality and speaker population are discussed at length. For a language to survive, it must be used by everybody in varied domains, especially, by the youth. The issue of language attrition is presented as being threatened by the media and technology. The authors identified six categories with respect to attrition: safe, at risk, disappearing, moribund, nearly extinct and extinct. These six categories are addressed at length and presented with parameters which help define each category. However, the reader is warned that the categories are not compartmentalized and that they overlap.

Chapter two provides helpful insights into endangered language situations. Interesting discussion on the need for revitalization provides the reader with a necessary background and crucial information in understanding complex issues in language revitalization. The authors advise on a “before” revitalization program: a need to consider macro (laws and policies) and micro levels (demographies and attitudes) in revitalization. It is important to identify the place of the individual in revitalization. That is, why do they want to preserve their language? It is helpful and desirable to note that the authors recommend that a community should want revitalization for it to succeed. They point to the fact that revitalization becomes very successful if it is community driven or what they refer to as a bottom-to-top movement. Also, issues at a national level are very important for revitalization and a country’s language policies have a direct impact on language vitality. Educational policies and regional autonomy granted to minority groups in many countries are more of theoretical undertakings than anything else. The authors state very clearly that a country’s laws and policies that support language minority rights can greatly enhance revitalization.

In chapter three, the focus is on models of revitalization. The authors favor the total-immersion programs as being more successful and provide examples. Examples are given of the Te Kohanga Reo, among the Maori peoples of New Zealand and the total immersion program among the Hawaiian peoples. The authors also discuss partial-immersion or bilingual programs favored by UNESCO; community based programs; master-apprentice programs; and finally, language reclamation models. In the presentation and discussion of each model, advantages and disadvantages of adopting each model/program are provided with real-life examples.

In chapter four, the authors discuss four case studies analyzing each one of them according to political, historical and social backgrounds. These case studies deal with issues related to language revitalization among the Evenki (Tungusic) in Russia, Shuar (Jivaroan) in Ecuador, Mohawk (Iroquoian) in Canada and Hawaiian (Austronesia) in the United States. The political, linguistic and socio-cultural dilemmas faced by the four language groups as far as language revitalization is concerned, is discussed in depth. The authors emphasize the point that without the support of a country’s laws, policies and government; language revitalization efforts could be considered doomed for failure. The community, a key component in language revitalization, has to be an active participant of revitalization for it to succeed. I was impressed with how the Mohawk peoples actively engaged in saving their language. These examples can be generalized and applied to other languages in need of revitalization.

In chapter five the authors acknowledge the importance of literacy in revitalization and point out that as in orthography, literacy issues as they concern revitalization are dealt in a superficial manner in the relevant literature. This, they advise, is misleading as both literacy and orthography issues are deep. They discuss the need in favor and against literacy in revitalization. For example, as far as the need for literacy is concerned, they point out that literacy in a wider community is desirable as it addresses the issue of rights and needs of a given community. The authors provide valuable insights into literacy models and discuss the pros and cons of traditional literacy and autonomous literacy. The question: after functional literacy, what next? Is not answered by the authors, nor they do a good job at discussing oral literacy vis-à-vis written literacy. There were no real-life examples included of case studies or examples of languages rich in oral literacy, such as African languages (for example the Khoisan languages in Southern Africa). The uniqueness of oral literacy was also absent. However, it is interesting to note that oral and written literacy’s can work in tandem, as in the case of South Pacific languages. The pertinent question of “why literacy?” was discussed. The issues of empowerment, visibility, prestige and autonomy where identified in the need for a literacy program by a given minority. The needs among nations on the need for language revitalization differ. Are they intrinsic, affective or extrinsic?

Chapter six deals with the important subject of orthography. The authors stress the need for an orthography which the community will own. They offer the following recommendations for the development of orthography in a language revitalization effort: 1) alphabets: it is paramount that the language-sounds are discernable from its orthography; 2) learnability: maximizing the learnability of orthographies greatly enhances the likelihood that they will be learnt and used; 3) acceptance and encouragement: in order for a writing system to be successful, it must be accepted by those who will learn and use it. In summary, orthographies must be recognized and accepted at local, regional and national government levels.

In chapter seven the authors give step-by step advice on creating a successful language revitalization program. Firstly, economic support is needed. Secondly, an assessment of language vitality, language variation, attitudes, goals and needs of those wanting language revitalization is a must. Thirdly, there should be a consideration of those who are being targeted? Fourthly, what the community hopes to achieve in its quest for language revitalization should be clearly stated before anything is changed. Lastly, the importance and need for teacher training and technology in revitalization programs should not be overlooked. The sample survey questions, checklist of procedures and the index of languages at the end of the book provide a helpful revision and reference guide for the reader.