‘How can we keep our language, when pressure from the surroundings and the majority language is huge?’
Many minorities are today worried about their languages. The number of languages is declining and humanity is heading towards an impoverished language diversity.
Around half of the around 7,000 languages in the world are estimated to disappear within the next century.
Why is it important to revitalise and increase the use of small or disappearing languages? Language is closely connected with culture, lifestyle, traditions and many other aspects, such as understanding of a specific environment. A language also reflects different perceptions and ways of seeing the world and much more of human life and consciousness.
When a language is disused, enormous amounts of knowledge and the access of the speakers to their background disappear. On the personal level, well-being, thinking, development, human relations etc. are affected, when an individual does not learn the family language or is able to use it only on a limited scale.
Modern, easily readable literature, which supports language use and creates interest for reading and writing, can be a way to revitalise languages. Especially children and youth, but also adults who try to improve their language skills, can through Easy to Read books acquire everyday language, and simultaneously they can increase their vocabulary.
Pedagogical Easy books contain many different topics and offer a broad range for using words and expressions and possibilities for developing language skills.
All books by Bokpil are originally written in a minority language, Finland Swedish. In 2020, we also publish books in Tatar.
Reading suggestions: Easy books in Finland Swedish
The project LäsLätt (‘ReadEasy’) 2020 for increasing and distributing information about Easy to Read is realised by Bokpil and Colorit ry.rf. and supported by The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.
