To understand the value of indigenous languages, we must talk about these peoples. When we speak of indigenous peoples, we have to talk about diversity. Although their number is relatively low concerning the world population, they represent the majority of the linguistic and cultural diversity of the planet. In addition, the lands in which they occupy hold the greatest variety of species— both flora and fauna.
On the other hand, indigenous knowledge about natural medicine is unique and varied. According to researchers from Evolutionary Biology at the University of Zurich, after analyzing more than 3,500 species of medicinal plants associated with 236 indigenous languages, they observed that 75% of these plants and their uses link to a single language. This means that if a language disappears, all the knowledge that it contains will disappear.
“Each indigenous language is a unique reserve of medicinal knowledge: a Rosetta stone to unravel and learn about the contributions of nature to people.”
Another important conclusion: of those 3,500 plant species, only 5% are on the red list of threaded species. This means that these languages are at a greater risk of disappearing compared to the species themselves.
One of the most critical places in terms of indigenous knowledge is the American continent. In both North and South America, most medicinal knowledge links to endangered languages; therefore, it is a priority area for conservation efforts. Additionally, discoveries in Papua New Guinea, a territory with a sizeable indigenous presence, the linguistic data is worrisome. Only 58% of the young people speak their language fluently compared to the 91% of their parents’ generation. Something easily replaceable to the vast majority of languages in the world.
We have a challenge that will be crucial in the coming decades. In addition to protecting biodiversity and the environment in which we live, we must also realize the importance of conserving the cultural diversity that identifies us as a species. Perhaps maintaining the balance between these two factors is the only way to live in true harmony with nature.
Let us commit to revitalizing indigenous languages. Let us celebrate diversity. Let us celebrate life.