List 3 obstacles or challenges that minority language communities have to face
when being disadvantaged socially and politically through language and education
policy.
Minority language communities often face several significant obstacles related to social
and political disadvantages stemming from language and education policies. Here are
three main challenges:
1. Limited access to education in native language: Many minority language speakers
find that their children do not receive adequate education in their native language. This
can hinder literacy, and comprehension, leading to a cycle of disadvantage. When
educational resources and materials are primarily available only in the dominant
language, minority language speakers may struggle to engage with the curriculum and
fully understand the lessons. For instance, the Sherpa community in Nepal may see
their children taught in Nepali rather than their native Sherpa language. This can lead to
significant challenges in comprehension. Without education in their mother tongue,
some students may struggle to study, leading to poor academic outcomes and limiting
their future opportunities for employment.
2. Cultural Erosion and Identity Loss: Cultural Erosion and Identity Loss: Social and
political disenfranchisement through language policies can result in the erosion of
cultural identity within minority communities. As younger generations shift towards the
dominant language for socio-economic advantages, there is a risk of losing unique
cultural practices, traditions, and languages, which are vital for community cohesion
and identity. For example: the Academy of Social Sciences and the Linguistics
Department (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) indicates that several minority
languages in Vietnam, such as Arem, Ma Lieng, Ruc, Co Lao, Pa Di, Thu Lao, Cuoi,
and Pu Peo, are at high risk of disappearing. This is mainly because of the lack of
consistent and frequent usage of these minor languages; these languages are primarily
spoken by very small ethnic groups, often with populations ranging from a few hundred
to about 1,000 people.
3. Lack of participation in social and political decision-making: Language policies
may limit and even restrict the use of minority languages in government and public
institutions. As a result, members of minority communities may struggle to express
their opinions and participate in political processes, limiting their ability to advocate for
their rights and influence decisions that affect their lives. This exclusion can perpetuate
marginalization and powerlessness. For example, in Indonesia, Papuan communities
face exclusion in political processes because the government primarily uses Bahasa
Indonesia. This language barrier prevents many individuals from expressing their
concerns or advocating for their rights regarding land and resources, leading to feelings
of powerlessness and continued marginalization within decision-making structures.
Find 1 linguistic landscape
•Identify the languages
•What does your experience of written material suggest
•(a) about the status relationship between the languages
•(b) about the relationship between official language policy and actual practice
Identified Languages:
- In the provided image, the two languages are Vietnamese (main language) and English
(secondary language), all of which are written texts on a notice sign board in Việt Nam.
What does your experience of written material suggest
(a) Status Relationship Between the Languages: Since this signage is put in Vietnam,
Vietnamese obviously takes precedence to ensure that local citizens clearly understand
the message. Thanks to its prominent placement, Vietnamese reflects its status as the
official language, catering to the majority of the population. On the other hand, English
plays a supplementary role, indicating its status as a foreign language but one that is
recognized and valuable, particularly for tourism and international communication.
However, it does not overshadow the prominence of Vietnamese. From a bilingual
speaker’s perspective, I think that the sign effectively helps to bridge communication
gaps, ensuring that both local individuals and foreign visitors can navigate safely and
effectively.
(b) Relationship between official language policy and actual practice: Vietnam’s
official language policy supports Vietnamese as the primary mean of communication in
public places, reflecting national identity and cultural heritage. Also, it highlights its
importance in formal communications and public signage. On top of that, the inclusion
of English aligns with Vietnam’s growing integration into the global economy and its
increasing tourism industry. While Vietnamese remains dominant, the presence of
English suggests an adaptation in practice to accommodate the needs of non-
Vietnamese speakers. This indicates a practical acknowledgment of the multicultural
face of urban environments, even if English does not feature equally in official policy.
