Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai has announced that language revitalization will return but only for the Arawak and the Warraus since the languages of the two tribes are on the brink of extinction.
Just before coming out of office, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs rolled out several programmes in various schools in the hinterland to facilitate the learning of the languages. The tribes just don’t communicate in them as before.
However, since being out of office, according to the Minister, nothing has been done to revitalize the language deficit.
This, according to her, has compounded the issue more. As such, in the next budget 2022, the language programme will commence.
“Our Government in the next year, in the next budget, has put asides monies, and a proposal for us to continue the language revival programme. We will support those villages that have their languages intact, and we will support those who have lost their language,” Sukhai noted.
However, while in the past other tribes were catered for only two tribes are catered for since according to the Minister those two languages are in danger of extinction.
The languages to which the Minister referred are Arawak and the Warraus.
“Language is something that we will not be able to revive in a second or in a short possible time. Generations have not been acquainted with their language and so we will have to make a special effort for the Arawaks in particular and the remaining pockets of Warraus to try to learn their language.”
In Guyana, they are four main tribes, namely the Warraus, Arawaks, Wapisianas and the Caribs, which include several sub-tribes, Arrecunas, Akawaios, Patamonas, and the Macusis. The Wai-wais are also included in the Carib-speaking group.
These tribes mostly live in the interior but over time the influence of mining, forestry and other forms of activities disrupted the way in which the Indigenous functioned.
This meant, that their livelihoods were tampered with. This caused displacement from lands and led to the separation of many indigenous families resulting in the displacement of the culture of some indigenous people.
This culture includes the speaking of their native languages.
