From a year to a decade. New projects in Yamal for preservation of indigenous languages

In Yamal special attention is paid to preservation and development of native languages. It was announced on the 17th of December by the Vice-Governor of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Irina Sokolova at the meeting of the Advisory Council on ethno-confessional policy under the Governor of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

According to her, 2019 was declared the international year of indigenous languages by the United Nations Organization. Different cultural, educational and scientific events were held in the region during this year. Thus, the Public chamber of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug held the dictation in languages of indigenous peoples of the North, and the open discussion on preservation of native languages with participation of an invited expert from the Russian Academy of Sciences was organized in the youth and entertainment center “Polaris”.

The editor of television and radio broadcasting in the directorate of programs of peoples of the North in the regional state TV and radio company “Yamal-Region” Natalia Khorolya is working on the new project “Dictionary 89”. According to her, it will include frequently used words in languages of Nenets, Khanty, Selkoup and Komi peoples. It will allow preserving native languages and speaking them more often.

The editor-in-chief of the newspapers “Nyaryana Ngerm” and “Myniko” Marina Yar decided to keep up with the times and promotes Nenets language in social networks.

Also this year the regional department of education issued textbooks for pupils of the 1st-4th grades. The books were included in the federal list. And textbooks for the 7th-9th grades are being tested. The plans are to publish a textbook on history of Yamal. According to Marina Kravets, the director of the regional department of education, now its concept is being developed. The textbook will include sections related to ethnology and cultural traditions that were accumulated among peoples for the entire period.

In addition, schools provide optional classes in native languages, and Yamal Multidisciplinary College educates native language teachers.

Margarita Lyange, a member of the Council for Interethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation, notes that over the past 5 years in Russia not a single doctor’s and candidate’s degree in methodology of native language was written or defended.

“Yamal with its accumulated base and effective projects has the opportunity to fill that vacuum”, she said.

In her opinion, Russia should also have the base for education of journalists in their native languages. Then it will be possible to speak about preservation of languages and traditional way of life.

According to Irina Sokolova, many events deserve the high praise, and it is necessary to use them not only in the year of languages, but systematically.

The Vice-Governor notes that the UN General Assembly declared the period from 2022 to 2032 the International decade of indigenous peoples. The President of the Russian Federation declared 2022 the Year of folk art and intangible cultural heritage of peoples.

“We have a lot of work ahead for the benefit of all the peoples, who live in our Yamal”, Irina Sokolova summed up.