The role of sound recordings in the revitalisation of minority languages of the Ainu People (Japan) and the West Frisians (the Netherlands)
This thesis explores the use of sound recordings in the revitalisation of two minority languages â the Ainu (Japan) and the West Frisian (the Netherlands). Over the last few decades, a growing concern about linguistic diversity in the world has led to an increasing awareness of minority languages, which are endangered by loss. The concept of language revitalisation calls for work which will affect the vitality of these languages. The nature of these revitalisation efforts is inscribed into place-related processes and the interpretations of the relationships between language speakers and the place they live in. Sound recordings can afford language revitalisation with the restoration of sounds of languages. This thesis argues that the heart of language revitalisation lies in the re-sounding of place attachment and sense of place. The selection of the two language cases studies, which allow for the multi-faceted use of sound recordings to be revealed and understood, constitutes an important part in the search for an understanding of these interconnections. Based on these two language case studies, which contrast in degrees of language endangerment, this research analyses how and why sound recordings engage
Fryzlewicz, Malgorzata
sound recordings ; language revitalisation ; place attachment ; sense of place
The role of sound recordings in the revitalisation of minority languages of the Ainu People (Japan) and the West Frisians (the Netherlands). This thesis explores the use of sound recordings in the revitalisation of two minority languages â the Ainu (Japan) and the West Frisian (the Netherlands). Over the last few decades, a growing concern about linguistic diversity in the world has led to an increasing awareness of minority languages, which are endangered by loss. The concept of language revitalisation calls for work which will affect the vitality of these languages. The nature of these revitalisation efforts is inscribed into place-related processes and the interpretations of the relationships between language speakers and the place they live in. Sound recordings can afford language revitalisation with the restoration of sounds of languages. This thesis argues that the heart of language revitalisation lies in the re-sounding of place attachment and sense of place. The selection of the two language cases studies, which allow for the multi-faceted use of sound recordings to be revealed and understood, constitutes an important part in the search for an understanding of these interconnections. Based on these two language case studies, which contrast in degrees of language endangerment, this research analyses how and why sound recordings engage
role sound recording revitalisation minority_languages people japan west netherlands explores use sound recording revitalisation minority_language japan west netherlands grow concern linguistic_diversity world lead_increase awareness minority_language endanger loss concept language revitalisation call work affect vitality language nature revitalisation effort inscribe place related process interpretation relationship language speaker place_live sound recording afford language revitalisation restoration sound language argues heart language revitalisation lie place attachment sense_place selection two_language case_study allow multi_faceted use sound recording reveal understood constitute_important part search interconnection based two_language case_study contrast degree language analyse sound recording engage