Indigenous Language Revitalization: A Health 111 Perspective

This essay critically examines Indigenous language revitalization within the context of Indigenous community health. The author discusses the plight of Indigenous languages, attributing their decline to colonial oppression, both overt and passive. The essay emphasizes the importance of language survival, linking it to the preservation of cultures, knowledge systems, and human rights. It outlines nine steps towards language revitalization and explores various approaches, including school-based programs and community initiatives. The author expresses agreement with the need for revitalization but suggests alternative approaches to school-based programs. New learning includes insights into the detailed steps required for language shift reversal and the implementation of school-based programs. The implications of this study are discussed in relation to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency and the application of language revitalization principles in providing quality healthcare services to Indigenous communities. The author intends to volunteer in an Indigenous community to help revitalize their language.

Running head: REVITALIZATION 1
Cultural Revitalization
Student’s Name:
Instructor’s Name:
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Date of Submission

REVITALIZATION 2
Summary
The Australian Indigenous community still faces multiple forms of discrimination which
is attributable to the past. More specifically, the plight of Indigenous languages can primarily be
attributed to overt and passive colonial oppression. The survival of Indigenous language is very
important because the loss of language is closely associated with the loss of cultures and
knowledge systems and it’s a human rights issue. Thus, it is critical to revitalizing Indigenous
language. There exist nine comprehensive steps towards the revitalization of Indigenous
languages. Due to the growing concern on the importance of Indigenous languages, multiple
approaches have been developed and incorporated into school curriculums beginning from pre-
school up to high school. Additionally, there exist children’s programs outside of the school as
well as adult programs. The current paper will critically examine the Indigenous Language
revitalization by exploring the plight of Indigenous languages, the steps and significance of
revitalization and the different language revitalization approaches.
Points of Agreement
There are several points in the section of cultural revitalization that I agree with. Indeed,
the current predicament of the Indigenous languages is generally due to colonization. This is
because colonial oppression was too violent and as a result, the Indigenous community
developed fear thus preventing the transmission of the Indigenous Languages to the future
generations. Furthermore, the colonialists introduced common languages in general public
schools and even in communication, thus forcing the Indigenous community to learn a foreign
language, which caused a voluntary shift.

REVITALIZATION 3
As much as there is industrialization and the free movement of people of diverse
Indigenous languages, the Indigenous Languages must not be forgotten. This is because language
is closely associated with culture and knowledge systems which can best be transferred to the
next generation through languages. In other words, if a generation stops using their local dialect,
then they are also likely to lose all the human knowledge associated with it.
However, I do not agree with the school-based programs for language revitalization. It is
very difficult and impractical to use Indigenous language in teaching and still expect the same
children to mingle with the international community in the future. This will in itself limits their
movement and exploration in the current developed world. I believe that programs of Indigenous
language revitalization should be taught outside the school programs while the internationally
recognized languages are taught in school. Thus, the Indigenous community will be preserving
their culture and at the same time become relevant to the international community.
Discussion of New Learning
I have gained new knowledge about the steps towards reversing language shift. I initially
thought that for one to learn their dialect, they just need to interact with those who speak the
same language. However, through this unit, I have learned that the steps towards reversing
language shift is not an easy one and is very detailed. Someone has to consider factors such as
the state of the language use in the community, the age and number of fluent speakers, the
attitudes of speakers and non-speakers among others.
I have also been enlightened by the current study with regard to the existence of school-
based programs that are aimed at teaching Indigenous languages. I used to think that learning of
Indigenous language could only be actualized in the home set-up. However, through the current

REVITALIZATION 4
study, I have learned that the three different school-based programs can be implemented in
different situations based on the outcomes of the need’s assessment.
Implications of the Course Unit
The knowledge gained through cultural revitalization study will be critical in appreciating
the significance of Indigenous language and also understanding the reason why the Indigenous
culture should be appreciated in the healthcare system. With a comprehensive understanding of
the plight of the Indigenous language and culture, I will provide healthcare services with a
specific regard for the Indigenous culture.
This will include the appreciation of their beliefs in healthcare and consulting with an
Indigenous patient before diagnosis to ensure that their culture is not disregarded but respected.
Language revitalization also requires proper planning and the consideration of factors such as
age, attitude among others. With the current insight on Indigenous language revitalization, I
intend to volunteer to work in one of the Australian Indigenous communities to help revitalize
their language by implementing the nine steps mentioned above. I believe that such an approach
is the most appropriate for a healthcare practitioner in improving cultural competency and in
providing quality healthcare services to the Indigenous community.