UchinaGuchi Preservation as a Viable Language - Research Paper Example

Outline Introduction and thesis a. What is Uchina Guchi language b. Statistics on the language popularity c. Evidence of language extinction by UNESCO research d. Thesis 2. Reasons for the preservation of Okinawa language a. A means of communication b. It shapes individual thoughts c. It is adversely affected by the Japanese language influence 3. Causes of Okinawa Language Extinction a. The Kingdom of the Ryukyus I. History of the Kingdon II. How it affected Okinawan languages III. Perception of the leaders concerning the Okinawan languages b. Invasion of the Ryuku by the Satsuma Clan from Southern Japan 4. Revitalization of the Ryukyuan languages (Uchina-Guchi included) 5. Conclusion UchinaGuchi Preservation as a Viable Language 1. Introduction Over seven billion of the earth’s current inhabitants speak an approximation one of six thousand languages. This, according to many individuals, may seem a healthy and desirable multitude, but it turns out that only five of the several languages are the ones spoken by many. For instance, research has revealed that more than half of the world’s population speaks Russian, English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Hindi languages. These, together with other hundred most popular languages, constitute 95% of the world speakers. This implies that a mere 5% of the world population speak the rest of the languages. This statistics has left many researchers across the globe active on the possibility of some of the languages becoming extinct. Extinction of languages is a threat to any society that uses or which the language belongs to. These researches have led a revelation that there are several languages that are no longer inexistence due to certain reasons related to the original speakers, as well as, the authority that ruled the speakers. An example of the most affected languages is Uchina Guchi. Without the language, communication in the Islands would be literary shunned. Communication is the core and fundamental tool on which progress rely. Without communication, people will not conduct business. There would be no exchange of ideas. There will be no learning or education. These reasons prompt for the preservation of Uchina Guchi language as an important and viable language. Statistically, the languages remained are roughly about 5,800. This leaves an important question: how can 5% of the world population speak 5,800 languages? Further research depicts that two-thirds of the 5,800 languages are in great danger of extinction. The research also shows that in every two weeks, one of the two-thirds of the languages become extinct. The danger of such losses never goes unnoticed. Many of the indigenous minority language speakers struggle to retain their mother tongues. The same is true with the Ryukyu Islands, which is situated between Taiwan and Kyushu. One of the languages that face the dangers of becoming extinct is the UchinaGuchi language, also known as the Okinawan language. Okinawa is one of the endangered languages of the Ryukyu Islands. The UNESCO (United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) recognizes six languages spoken by the Ryukyu Island dwellers. The languages are, Kanigami, Amami, Uchinaa, Miyako, Yonaguni, and Yaeyama. According to the UNESCO, The most endangered languages in the list are the last two. From this, other sociologists argue on a generalization basis that the other four languages are definitely endangered. From this, it is conclusive that Uchinaa or the Okinawa language is one of the endangered languages in the Island. The language has been greatly affected by political history in the entire Japan. This has, in turn, seriously affected the rich cultural background of the language. The only and sure way of curbing the extinct of this language is through preservation and teaching of the language as a first language in the Island (Kurabu 23). This paper will look into the succinct analysis of the language, its importance, or reasons why it should be preserved, causes of its extinction, as well as, the possible ways of preserving it. 2. Reasons for preserving the Okinawa Language Language is obviously a vital tool for any society. Not only is it a means through which people communicate their ideas to others, but it also forges cultural ties, friendships, as well as, economic relationships. Language shapes an individual’s thoughts and motions, and determines his or her perception of reality. John Stuart ones said that language is the light of the mind. It is not only a vehicle for expressing thoughts, sentiments, perceptions, and value characteristic of a given society. The Okinawan language is not an exception. It is necessary for the facilitation of communication among the Islanders. Therefore, any activity related to language erosion and extinction should be curbed. Within the last couple of decades, the Okinawan languages has, including UchinaGuchi, has been dramatically and drastically affected by political history. Until 1878, the Okinawa was an independent country, and it was called the Kingdom of the Ryukus. In the following year, Japan made a decision and annexed Ryuku as its prefecture. The term Ryuku was abolished and replaced by Okinawan prefecture. According to the Japanese government modernization policy, the Okinawan people had to learn how to read and write Japanese in public places and schools. Therefore, the Ryukyuan language faded out gradually. Understanding the state or the popularity of the UchinaGuchi requires tracing of the development by applying flashback in focusing on the days Ryukus Kingdom and how the Ryukuan language has transformed since that time. In the past, UchinaGuchi has faced many obstacles in its development (Heinrich &Breizinger). The first one being that the party has always been at mercy of Japanese politics, Japanese government ruler, the existing authority, or the United States. The other is the mode used to transfer or teach language to other generations. Therefore, it is also necessary to be well conversant with the historical aspect of how the Uchina-Guchi was mobilized using politics or policy and to comprehend the historical aspects in order to come to realization of the need for documenting the language its succession to the next generation. 3. Causes of Okinawa Language Extinction The Kingdom of the Ryukyus During the 15th century, the Sho Hasshi King established a centralized and main kingdom of the Ryukyu Islands in the Shuri City. The court used the Shuri dialect as the official language. Those outside the city spoke a different language, Okinawan, which differed slightly with the Shuri, in terms of intonation, pronunciation and expression. The Kingdom of the Ryukyu lacked sufficient resources necessary for living. In addition, the climate in the Island was very severe and typhoons frequently hit the region causing discomfort among the inhabitants. Due to this disaster and general poverty, the economy of the islanders depended solely on the foreign trade with the southeastern nations such as Japan, China, and Holland. In order to survive, the islanders had to adapt and learn the languages of their “sponsor” in order to continue depending and getting economic support from them (Bowmik 23). The Shuri dialect was characterized by complexities of honorific markers that distinguish class, age, and sex. There was a diversity of respect forms that was strictly observed or adhered to among the existing three social classes of gentry, aristocracy, and the commoners. It also existed between females and males, and between different age groups. In addition, the appropriate and actual language had to be used and applied not only where two speakers came from the same class or same sex, but also between people of different age groups. This occurred when the existing hierarchical distinction related only to the birth month. Conversational usage became very complex where two speakers were absolutely of different status. This way, the Shuri language was rejected by the Japanese authority despite its closeness in relationship with the Japanese language. Research done on the language phonology revealed that its phonological characteristics were different to that of the Japanese language mainly by the changes in vowels. ‘e’ changed to ‘i’ and ‘o’ to ‘u’. For instance, the word used to refer to rain is pronounced as “ame” in Japanese, but in Shuri, it is pronounced as “ami.” Similarly, the word used to refer to cloud is referred is pronounced as “kumo” in Japanese language, but komu in Shuri language. Besides, there are other notable differences between Shuri dialect and Japanese language in terms of consonants. For instance, Japanese word, ‘Yuki’ is pronounced as ‘yuchi’ in Shuri dialect. From this, it is evident that any Shuri language speaker could master well the Japanese language. Shuri language has a close relationship with Japanese language, and the same apples to it. Therefore, it can be used as an official language among the islanders. Invasion of the Ryuku by the Satsuma Clan from Southern Japan Over 3000 Satsuma soldiers, in 1609, invaded Ryukyu. The Ryukyuans had no weapons to defend themselves, therefore, lacked option but to surrender. This made them appear like subjects to the invaders. The kingdom came under the strict and constant control and surveillance of the Satsuma. Satsuma made a decision to permit the kingdom to continue with its cooperation and relationship with China, by allowing it to pay respect and tribute to the foreign nation. Education among the Ryukyuans, was not permitted, therefore, people remained ignorant and could not learn how read and write. Nevertheless, they orally passed their rich cultural practices, arts, songs, music, arts, and their language to the next generation. This is an implication that Uchina-Guchi was never written, or recorded in any storage devices for its preservation for future generation. Since there was no other means of passing information from one generation to the next other than the oral method, the only language that was used was the Uchina Guchi. However, the language had been seriously affected by the government policy, thus, rendering the transmission of important information to the next generation unsuccessful. This also implies a big lose to the entire society in the Island. This is because of the threat or the danger of losing the rich and admirable culture among the Ryukyu people (Akamine 86). From this point of view, there is an urgent necessity to improve or facilitate the learning of the language to ensure that it is stored in print and media sources to allow for easy references in the future. Annexation of the Ryukyu Island took place, leading to the break out of dispute over the Okinawa language. The Okinawan people had been influenced, and many of them spoke standard Japanese. Speaking of the Okinawa language was banned in public places and schools in order have ideological unification among the people, as described in the Okinawan educational policy (Kilgour). In Okinawa people had no choice but to speak the Okinawan language secretly, for instance, in their houses at night, to avoid being questioned by the authority. The most notorious form of punishment was the dialect tag. Pupils who used Ryukyuan language in class wore this around their necks. The pupil wearing the tag was, thus, responsible for passing it on to other students who did the same crime. Those who had spoken these languages were punished accordingly. This undoubtedly led to great discouragement of the people from using the language. The Ryukyu Island languages were considered dialect of the dominant and preferred Japanese language. This was a big threat to the retention or the maintenance of the language. Language requires freedom for it to be well retained and maintained within the society. Restriction in it makes people lack interest in it. In addition, it was spoken only during the night in the houses, meaning that it had the least time, among other languages. This undoubtedly signified extinction of this important cultural and societal unifying language. Revitalization of the Ryukyuan languages (Uchina-Guchi included) Aston once said that when the focus of a language is on the past, parents would not raise their families in that language, causing minority language to die. This is, however, not the case with Ryukyu island dwellers who struggle effortlessly amidst the totalitarian society and dictatorship government to maintain and retain their endangered language and culture. As explained earlier, the Okinawan language has a lot of importance and necessity. Research by sociologists has proven that the most effective way of revitalizing language is by passing the retreating language to younger generation (Kilgour). This is because revitalization of languages considers the appreciation of the local languages. There are two examples that illustrate renewed interest in the diminishing language and the difficulties experienced in passing them to new generations. The first example, posted in the Okinawa Times, is about a student who started studying Okinawan language after the commencement of his studies in the Ryukyu University. He sated that it became a shock to him when he learnt of a variety of languages in Japan, which he could not understand, at all. Another example was of a letter compiled by a 17 year old high school girl to the Okinawa Times editor. The student from Huruma City in Okinawa criticizes the elderly people for not speaking local languages when talking or addressing her. She urged them to speak the language and pass them to younger generations. She concludes by stating that she was born in Okinawa, yet she feels ashamed for not even understanding any joke in Okinawa. She questions, “Will the dialect really vanish just like this? Don’t you have the impression that a great quality of Okinawa will be lost” (Heinrich)? This question and complaint by the student is another indication on the need revitalization of the Okinawa language. The first step, as mentioned by the seventeen-year old involves the communication of the elders to the youthful generation using the Okinawa language. Through this, very few people will fail to comprehend and master the language easily. According to most psychologists and sociologists, spoken language is easier to comprehend compared and master compared to written one. In addition to the above means of revitalization, using the language in matriculation institutions is very necessary, as a means of facilitating and increasing the widespread use of the language in most parts of the island. When different disciplines such as engineering, math, law, and medicine are taught in Okinawan language, students in all universities and other institutions in the islands will have no choice, but to abide by the education rule. This can only be possible if education system in Japan is changed. However, legal and peaceful method can be employed to negotiate the freedom of the islanders to use their own language in education. The education system however should not be changed. These will results into spread of the language in the entire island. In addition, for students to understand well, especially the listed areas of study, they will be obliged to learn, in details, Uchina Guchi language. This will imply introduction of the language as a subject, faculty, or area of study itself. Introduction of the language as a course will definitely mean an improvement in the use and the knowledge. Its quality would also improve. Another effect on the use of the language in the curriculum of the islanders would be that there would be increased number of writers of literature books and novels in the language. Novels and literature books, as usual, are meant to inform people about their society, as well as the shortcomings of certain aspects and components of their societies, for instance the social, political, and economic components. The outcome of this is definitely increase in the progress of the society, which the major ultimate goal of any language in the world. Conclusion In conclusion, Uchina Guchi language, just like other world’s prominent languages, such as English, French, German and Spanish, has its origin, culture and speakers. Culture, origin, and speakers are the three major components of a language. It is therefore, convincing that the language has its core and crucial roles among the islanders and needs to be preserved and protected against any signs of extinction. Efforts by all the Okinawan speakers are vital in the decision to revitalization of this language. Work Cited Heinrich, Paatrick. Language Loss and Revitalization in the Ryukyu Islands: The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus.New York, NY: Cengage Learning, 2005. Print. Kilgour, David. Remarks by the Honourable David Kilgour, P.C., M.P. Edmonton Southeast Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)Southern Alberta Heritage Language Association Calgary, October 9, 1999. Print. Akamine, Yukari. Why do I document Okinawan (Ryukyuan)?Okinawa: NanseiInsatsu. Okinawa Peace Network of Los Angeles (OPN-LA).Assimilation Practices in Okinawa&Treatmnent of Okinawans on the Mainland Overseas.2005, July 23. Web. 2012, April. 19. http://www.uchinanchu.org/uchinanchu/history_treatment.htm Bhowmik, Davinder. Writing Okinawa: Narrative Acts of Identity and Resistance. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis, 2008. Print. Kurabu, Hokubei. History of the Okinawans in North America.Michgan: Okinawan Club of America and the Asian American Studies Center, University of California, Los Angeles, 1988. Print. Heinrich, Patrick &Brenzinger, Matthias &Bairon, Fija. Luchuan (Ryukyuan) languages are no longer Japanese dialects: The Ryukyus and the New, But Endangered, Languages of Japan.12 March, 2008. Web. 19 April, 2012. Read More