Abstract
Revitalization of endangered languages is a global issue. Joshua Fishman's influential theory, 'Reversing Language Shift' (1991), was an attempt to 'diagnose' difficulties, identify parallels and share solutions among languages. From the viewpoint of (a) obtaining an understanding of the situation of the language and (b) looking at mutual concerns, comparison is useful because it may enable endangered languages to help each other. In this study, I compare recent tendencies in Ainu, an indigenous language in Japan, with movements in Celtic languages. Ainu has few native speakers, but excellent records of native speech exist. Endangered languages have traditionally existed as ethnolinguistic symbols, 'heritage' languages, and as tourist and business 'products.' However, recently new waves of Internet networking are enabling the emergence of new platforms for endangered languages in music (folk, rock, jazz, and techno), art, dance, film and radio, language classes, and the emergence of competent teachers and new textbooks. 'Indigenous' is the new cool and there is sustained political action by Ainu organizations. Strong centralization of school education and the weakness of regional autonomy in France and Japan have damaged Breton in France and Ainu in Japan. Japan and France are both countries that are reluctant to welcome the concept of ethnolinguistic diversity and lack policies to support minority and endangered languages. In Britain, political and 'local' devolution to the regions (Scotland, Wales, Cornwall) is galvanizing local governments to establish language revitalization strategies.
