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Has technology helped to preserve and promote minority languages or has it contributed to their extinction?

Leonard Trevaskus

Technology has undoubtedly played a significant role in both the preservation and extinction of minority languages around the world. On one hand, the rise of social media, digital communication tools and online resources have made it easier for people to connect with and learn about minority languages. For instance, there are now mobile apps, websites and social media platforms specifically designed for learning and practicing lesser-known languages. This has helped language learners, teachers, and speakers to share and preserve words, phrases, and cultural traditions that might otherwise have been lost.

At the same time, however, technology can also contribute to the extinction of minority languages. The spread of dominant languages like English and Mandarin, for instance, through digital communication channels like the internet and social media can displace and marginalize smaller or lesser-known languages, rendering them less relevant and less widely spoken. Moreover, one of the biggest challenges for minority languages is the lack of energy, resources and attention given to their conservation. In this regard, it is necessary to find ways to make use of technology to enhance the visibility, relevance, and appreciation of diverse languages and cultures.

On the positive side, many digital platforms have made significant strides in promoting minority languages worldwide. For one, social media has made it possible for people to connect and communicate with others who speak minority languages, be it through text, audio or video. This has created digital communities where minority language speakers can interact, share stories, and preserve their cultural heritage. For instance, Facebook groups, Instagram pages, and Reddit threads dedicated to lesser-known languages attract thousands of users from all over the world.

Moreover, there are now tools like Google Translate that can translate languages from one to another, although machine translation has not always been the best solution. The downside is that these tools are still far from perfect, and they can sometimes distort or misrepresent the original meaning of the text. However, they provide a way for people to access information in other languages particularly those that are not regularly taught in schools.

In addition, online courses, videos, and podcasts focused on lesser-known languages have become more widely available, providing easy access to learning and practice resources. These resources have become a way for people to learn about the language, history, and cultures of minority communities. This can aid in promoting interest in languages or dialects before they become extinct.

The use of technology to promote and preserve minority languages and their surrounding cultures is an ongoing process, but it is a significant step towards ensuring diversity and inclusivity in the world. Specifically, there is a need to focus on the development of technology that can help with the documentation and preservation of languages and cultures so that they would not be forgotten. By utilizing technology, we can keep the dying languages from being completely lost and promote diversity together with cultural awareness in the digital realm.