Language Matters with Bob Holman

Although there are currently over 6,000 languages in the world, many will vanish before the end of this century. Linguist and poet Bob Holman hosts this PBS-aired documentary directed by David Grubin, which looks at the rush to identify, record, and preserve endangered languages. Language Matters notes that language is a survival tool, as well as a source of identity, ethnic pride, and diversity. Some of the world's most vulnerable languages are spoken by Aborigines in northern Australia (in some cases, only one person is left speaking the tongue). The decline stems from many factors, including economics, politics, lack of government support, and the homogenizing effects of the Internet. A much brighter picture may be found in Wales, where the native language was once scorned, but people fought back in the 1950s and ‘60s, promoting Welsh on street signs, as well as in storytelling and poetry festival competitions. Somewhere between Australia's neglect and the Welsh success story is the move to reclaim Hawaii's native language. The film explores Hawaii's rich oral traditions, poetic language, and use of “hula”—a unique blend of chants and dancing to convey language. Although children were once forbidden to speak the native language in schools, a few schools now have a "Hawaiian only" policy. In all three countries, the role of song, the family, and the introduction of native languages to children are critical elements in linguistic survival. While being realistic about the dominance of English as a primary language, Language Matters also underscores the fact that when we lose native languages, we lose a part of ourselves. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)