Introduction
Language has always been considered an inseparable, if not the most important, element of culture. That is why it comes as a surprise that there are still people who do not understand the severity of language extinction. The documentary Language Healers gives insights into the lives and experiences of indigenous peoples whose languages are on the edge of extinction. The main idea of the movie is that if minority groups are deprived of their right to practice and sustain their indigenous languages, they will inevitably lose their culture and identity.
The Role of Language in Indigenous Communities
As the documentary shows, language dramatically contributes to the roles within Indigenous cultures. Beyond serving as a means of communication, language also carries values, traditions, and cultural knowledge. In this context, the role played by the elders in Indigenous communities is considered the most important since they are the ones ‘healing’ the language and passing on their knowledge to younger generations.
As one of the interviews notes, a talking dictionary of an endangered language is a good idea, but only native speakers can navigate the learners through those talking dictionaries (Language Healers 31.37-31.40). Indeed, each language’s morphological and grammatical systems are different (Anderson et al. chapter 5; Anderson et al. chapter 6). In many indigenous languages, grammar is highly complex, which makes it impossible to learn it by words and phrases (Language Healers 31.37). Therefore, the role of the elders is highly esteemed in indigenous communities.
Social Attributes of Language
The movie also dwells on race and class aspects stemming from language. The film exemplifies how indigenous languages, as well as their users, have been historically marginalized and suppressed by colonial powers. One of the interviewees draws a parallel between her granddaughter’s treatment at a present-day school and her ancestors’ treatment in a boarding school for American Indians (Language Healers 13.10). This example is appalling since it seems impossible for modern teachers not to know about the need for tolerance and diversity. Yet these issues prevail even in current society, making the question of class and race closely related to language.
Even more alarming is that individuals can be treated differently just because of their use of their native language. The case of a schoolgirl who was benched from her basketball game for using her minority language is highly disturbing (Language Healers 10.10). Punishing a child for ‘improper behavior’ only because she used her native language is not acceptable, yet this is what happens in many schools. The most aggravating fact about this instance is that the teacher mistreated the child. While other girls were trying to learn something new about their culture and identity, the teacher showed them such disapproval that it was unlikely they would want to pursue learning. Sadly, treating individuals differently based on their native language use is persisting.
Dangers of Loss of Language and Culture
Meanwhile, on the part of aboriginal people, the movie is full of passionate and tender love confessions to their native language as the main component of their culture and identity. One of the interviewees mentioned that the loss of language and culture is dangerous, and they are trying “to turn that around to make sure we have our identity, our languages, and the way of life” (Language Healers 6.10-6.30). Another man asserts that language is “more than just a language” because it is the “ancestry” (Language Healers 9.48-9.50). Indigenous people note that children are made to feel ashamed of their language, which can lead to their unwillingness to continue learning it (Language Healers 16.30). The communities depicted in the movie strive to pass on the knowledge of language, culture, and traditions to their children. As elders pass away, there are fewer and fewer adults who can share the knowledge of such a crucial element of identity as an indigenous language.
The loss of language has an excruciating impact on the culture that it represents. Without a language, it isn’t easy to fully comprehend the richness of a culture. Some of the narrators mention that the loss of language leads to an increased incidence of alcohol abuse and suicide rates (Language Healers 6.35). Also, losing a language equals losing identity, no matter how hard one might try to keep it without a language (Language Healers 16.15). Culture can only be lived and experienced through communication and the worldviews of people, and language is the “window into that world” (Language Healers 34.54). Therefore, when language is lost, so are culture and identity.
Conclusion
The documentary is a valuable resource for analyzing the effects of coercive boarding school education, language repression, and discrimination based on the use of native language. At the same time, the movie’s main emphasis is on the importance of sustaining the endangered languages as they are the only means for indigenous peoples to keep a connection with their roots and cherish their identity and culture. Without language, people cannot fully appreciate where they came from and what heights they can pursue.
Works Cited
Anderson, Catherine, et al. Essentials of Linguistics. 2nd ed., eCampusOntario, 2022.
Language Healers. Directed by Brian McDermott, 2014.
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