Endangered Languages Must Be Preserved from Extinction from The Heritage and Cultural Perspective

Endangered languages belong to a class of people mostly identified as indigenous. These peoples often employ a peculiar language unshared by another tribe or community, are what is defined as socially disadvantaged, nomadic or isolated from the rest of humanity, practice animism or ancestral worship, rely on nature for sustenance by participating in primitive culture such as hunting, fishing and agriculture, have limited knowledge of modern technology, retain very small numbers, and are considered vulnerable (EIA Drilling). These rarefied languages are dated thousands of years ago to earlier species of man that walked the earth. The United Nations has compiled a list of hundreds of endangered languages with only 1-3 surviving speakers today. Out of the 7,000-8,000 languages existent world languages, New York City, one of the world’s largest metropolitan capitals, houses about 800 languages spoken among them, with some native tongues hardly used even in the country of origin but spoken there. About 400 of the 800 languages spoken in New York City are deemed endangered (Global Language Association).

In view of the alarming, dying trend of old languages, organizational bodies such as the Endangered Language Alliance of New York, the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) , the Global Language Association, the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages are coming together to save a few near extinct languages by public sensitization, documentation, grammar construction and education. Although this world is very multilingual, a phenomenon called steamroller languages (such as English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, French, Russian and German) dominate, absorbing minority cultures to forget traditional languages and pushing them into ‘modern civilization.’ More than 50% of the world speaks these preponderant languages.

The New York Times interviewed Husni Husain, aged 69, as the lone speaker of Mamuju in New York. The rest of his family are from Java, Indonesia and does not speak the language. Husni Husain has migrated from Mamuju to Queens for the past number of years. He mentions his, “wife is from Java, and children were born in Jakarta — they don’t associate with the Mamuju he doesn’t read books in Mamuju. They don’t publish any. He only speak Mamuju when he goes back or when he talks to his brother on the telephone.” Husni feels that speaking Mamuju is a unique gift. He sees that it makes him an ambassador for his culture since he has been proven the only speaker of Mamuju in the US. He never transmitted the language to his daughter because he never thought that it would lapse into near obscurity. However, Professor Daniel Kaufman of CUNY is working feverishly along with Husain through the Mamuju Project, to document the language, compile a book and preserve it before it is too late. Dr. Kaufman collaborates with many immigrants in the New York City area to gather data on expiring language and makes efforts to save them from disuse and demise (Roberts).

Indeed, Husain stands as the only speaker in New York and possibly, the USA of Mamuju. Mamuju is a language spoken by inhabitants of West Sulawesi in Indonesia, primarily those in the Mamuju district. This district is a very diverse melting pot, seeing that other peoples also cohabit with Mamuju such as Mandar, Bugis, Makassar, Toraja, Manado, Bali, Karampuang and Java. Currently Mamuju accounts for about 60,000 speakers in that specific region. The Mamuju district, since 1999, has combined with the Polewali, Mamasa and Majene districts to form one province. The speakers of Mamuju are heavily concentrated in that area and are dependent fishing and agriculture for their livelihood. The Mamuju district is located in an underdeveloped area with no electricity in which researchers have noted outbreaks of malaria and other diseases attributed to poor housing, hygiene and circumstance (Ramani). Other factors which affect residents of the Mamuju district are education deficiencies, low income, unemployment and little access to health care services (Ridwan 2004).

Mamuju is derived from the large Austronesian family that numbers 270 million speakers and 1200 languages. Austronesian, translated ‘of the southern islands’ consists of the family of languages proceeding mainly from the Polynesian island north of Australia. Extending from countries bordering the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Madagascar to even the Easter Islands, Austronesian languages have cemented themselves as a major linguistic breed (Bellwood ). Ethnologues have traced the origins of Austronesian to Taiwan about 6,000 years ago where proto-Austronesian languages developed through nomadic migration. Linked to Chinese, Austronesian’s most predominant language is Malay, in wide currency in Indonesian and Malaysian islands. It is a major international language spoken by tens of millions. Unlike other places in the world, Austonesian languages have been relatively isolated from factors such as politics and communication which stifle, dilute and cause the death of language (Dalby 47). Countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia are part of the Austronesian family.

Indonesian kingdoms which arose from the Srivijaya, prominent in the 7th BC, were powerful empires founded upon its naval prowess. The ancient fingerprints of these people have been discovered all over Malaysia, Southern China and Indonesia. These people were proficients at sailing, which was critical to their nomadic lifestyle as they quickly transported themselves from island to island and imported/exported valuable merchandise. Their rulers styled themselves Maharajas kings.

From the earlies, Mamuju was a kingdom which lay in the Mandar vicinity in West Sulawesi. The Mamuju peoples were characterized as valiant, noble and proud. Mamuju was a dynasty which became subjugated by external forces. The last surviving monarch of Mandar/Mamuju’s name is Andi Maksun Dai of Mamuju. This noble of royal descent heads the Council of the Rajas and Sultans of Sulawesi. From this information, one gathers that the Mamuju language holds a degree of prestige to it. Mamuju is not merely a political district, it is a principality governed by people of royal lineage. In addition to their militancy, the Mamuju are also are historically renowned for their marine expertise as sailors. Navigation plays an important role to the Mamuju since their lands are adjacent to the Makassar Strait, a narrow body of water separating them from Malaysia. Silk textiles and weaving demonstrate the refined tastes of this ethnic group. Some relics found near Mamuju seem to testify, according to archaeologists, of gold excavation and exploits. A golden Buddha statue dated around the 5th century and small deposits of gold near rivers also give evidence of sophisticated manufacturing skills and possible conflicts over the precious mineral (OConnor 219). However with the decline in standing and in the disadvantaged lifestyle that most residents lead, one observes a deterioration in the modern social status of the language. Many of the neighbors of the Mamuju dare not rise up in opposition to it (George 1996).

Because of globalization, the nationalization of language and some politics, Mamuju is being threatened. The Mamuju speakers have formally associated with Mandar, Bugis, Makassar, Sa’dan, Toraja and Manado, other almost linguistic family members both geographically and politically. All of these districts further comprise the Mamuju Regency which is a multiethnic district hosting other tongues (EIA Drilling).As a result, there is an intercultural mixture that has the potential of further weakening the language. Mandar is another regional dialect that is very likely to absorb Mamuju in its course. Also, the national language of Indonesia, Bahasa Indonesia, is considered the language of education. Compulsory education sponsored under the government has also hastened language attrition; therefore the younger generation is schooled in this language, while the more traditional languages age with the old and die. Multilinguism, although it is a blessing, is also a curse. With the dominance of English and other Eurasian languages, many speakers, for personal and business advancement, are learning other language beside their own (Endangered Language Alliance).

“Preserving endangered languages is a vital part of securing the culture and heritage it keeps traditions alive, it inspires knowledge and respect about our past linking communities across borders and beyond time” (UNESCO ). Endangered languages become so owing to destructive human activity such as genocides and wars -or social environmental movements such as migration, education and politics. However, language is a key to unlock doors to the past and keep alive certain traditions which would be indispensable to future generations. As an endangered species languages such as Mamuju have to be focused on the younger generations to ensure continuity. It has a rich historical background and would shed light on history and identity.