Social 10: Chapter 4 - Affirming Identity, Language, & Cultural

Vocabulary

Cultural Content Laws - Laws passed by a government to prevent a group’s cultural identity (ex, artists, literature, songs, ect) from being overwhelmed by the media of a more dominant group

Cultural Diversity - Variety in cultures and identities

Linguistic Revitalization - To stop or reverse the decline of a language or to revive an extinct one

Linguistic Rights - Protect individual and collective rights to choose one’s language(s) for communication

Affirm - State as a fact strongly assert publicly

G’psgolox Totem Pole

It was commissioned by the Chief of the Haisla Eagle Clan, Chief G’psgolox after the death of his children.

In 1929, it was removed from their village while they were away on a fishing trip.

The Swedish vice council to Canada, Olof Hannson, wanted it for Sweden’s Museum of Ethnography.

The Canadian Department of Indian Affairs allowed the removal on the grounds the Swedes were given permission from the Haisla people.

There was no record of the sale, only an export license.

The location was known to the Haisla people for 60 years.

The museum was preserving the totem pole in a temperature controlled environment, which is in contrast to the traditional way totem poles are kept, which is outside and with the earth.

It was eventually returned to the Haisla in 2006.

Language Revitalization

To some people, language is identity

Language is so important to cultural identity that peoples, governments, and organizations around the world use many different strategies to affirm their language in a globalizing world.

People have always expressed their traditions, values, world views, and cultures through language

Different Views

Some advocates of globalization believe that increased communication and interdependence will bring greater understanding among the peoples of the world

They say that if everyone speaks a common language, it could reduce the differences among people

Dominance of English

English

  • Business

  • Scientific Research

  • Popular culture

  • Internet - uses the Roman alphabet

  • Mother tongue of many

Mandarin

  • Most populous country in the world

  • 2nd most populous language on the internet

  • Economic shift in China

English - most used language in 94 countries (3/4 of the world’s population)

Influential language of academia and the business world

Language of globalization

Mandarin 2nd most used language (aprox. 983 million speakers)

  • Main language for business

UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

Threats

  • Armed conflicts

  • Deliberate destruction

  • Economic pressure

  • Natural disasters

  • Climate change

World Heritage Convention