UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific
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Akatsuki Takahashi
Abstract
The United Nations in general and UNESCO in particular have adopted a number of conventions supporting the maintenance and use of languages of lesser power, particularly the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. While not specifically mentioning language, these conventions preserve languages of lesser power as the means of the expression of intangible cultural heritage and the diversity of cultural expression. In the Pacific, UNESCO supports International Mother Language Day and various activities to preserve indigenous forms of communication. This is vital if the region is to harness its diversity as a source of creativity and sustainable development.
Abstract
The United Nations in general and UNESCO in particular have adopted a number of conventions supporting the maintenance and use of languages of lesser power, particularly the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. While not specifically mentioning language, these conventions preserve languages of lesser power as the means of the expression of intangible cultural heritage and the diversity of cultural expression. In the Pacific, UNESCO supports International Mother Language Day and various activities to preserve indigenous forms of communication. This is vital if the region is to harness its diversity as a source of creativity and sustainable development.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Preface xi
- Foreword xiii
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Introduction
- The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies 1
- Education, power and sociolinguistic mobility 13
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East Asia
- A Yami language teacher’s journey in Taiwan 33
- Power and other issues in minority language education in China 49
- Forming a Korean identity in Japan 65
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Southeast Asia
- Patani Malay in Thai education 91
- Language in schooling in Timor-Leste 111
- Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels 131
- Sustaining and maintaining a minority language 153
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Oceania
- UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific 175
- State versus community approaches to language revival 185
- Vernacular education in Papua New Guinea 205
- From despised jargon to language of education 223
- Te Reo Māori – He Reo Kura? (Māori Language – A School Language?) 243
- A study of bilingual education using Samoan language in New Zealand 261
- Index 293
- Authors 289
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Preface xi
- Foreword xiii
-
Introduction
- The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies 1
- Education, power and sociolinguistic mobility 13
-
East Asia
- A Yami language teacher’s journey in Taiwan 33
- Power and other issues in minority language education in China 49
- Forming a Korean identity in Japan 65
-
Southeast Asia
- Patani Malay in Thai education 91
- Language in schooling in Timor-Leste 111
- Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels 131
- Sustaining and maintaining a minority language 153
-
Oceania
- UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific 175
- State versus community approaches to language revival 185
- Vernacular education in Papua New Guinea 205
- From despised jargon to language of education 223
- Te Reo Māori – He Reo Kura? (Māori Language – A School Language?) 243
- A study of bilingual education using Samoan language in New Zealand 261
- Index 293
- Authors 289
