Objectives at the crossroads: Critical theory and self-determination in indigenous language revitalization

Abstract

Indigenous language revitalization is a popular focus of critical theorists. From the perspective of sociolinguists, critical theory interrogates language policies to name and shame inequalities and propose solutions to correct injustices and emancipate the disadvantaged. From a broader perspective, language revitalization policy also resides within national and international political agendas for the restoration of indigenous self-determination, including not just language, but also indigenous cultures, governance, and philosophies in the wake of imperialist oppression of native peoples. However, in terms of indigenous language revitalization specifically, are self-determination and the objectives of critical theory one and the same? This article considers this question and suggests that the emancipatory goals of critical theory are not necessarily synonymous with self-determination. Instead, language policies that support self-determination may conversely impede language revitalization processes by creating onerous demands on indigenous individuals who might instead conceptualize their own linguistic emancipation in ways self-determination does not.