Language Revitalization Efforts in the Ryukyus

Abstract

Although Ryukyus Islands, consisting of four archipelagoes—Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama—are places where languages that are different from Japanese are spoken, Japanese is the dominant language in these islands. As a result, the local languages, referred to as shimakutuba or shimaguchi, are endangered since the vast majority of younger generations do not speak these languages at all. These languages are listed in the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. Local governments, for example the Okinawa prefectural government and the Naha City government, have conducted activities to revitalize endangered local languages. In addition, there have been some revitalization activities by NPOs, the media, and groups of concerned people. This report is mainly based on my research of press reporting, Internet sources, and interviews, including telephone and e-mail interviews, from 2013 to 2014. These activities may encourage younger generations to use the local endangered languages, which would lead to language revitalization. When decisions are made about which variety/varieties to maintain, difficult decisions over which local languages to support will be a contentious issue.