Mühlhäusler's Criticism Of Vernacular Language

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It is generally accepted that the introduction of literacy is a valuable contribution to educational progress. But, as shown by Mühlhäusler’s article, it has inevitable repercussions on unlettered societies worth considering before undertaking such an endeavour. Mühlhäusler deals with a range of sociolinguistic ramifications of the introduction of literacy to communities living in the Pacific area. His main thesis claims that the introduction of vernacular literacy causes linguistic, religious and social changes. He even goes so far as to assert that “[t]he most general long-term effect of literacy in the vernacular has been language decline and death” (190). In other words, Mühlhäusler presumes a causal relation between the introduction of vernacular literacy and the extinction of the very same language. Although he mentions that “[t]he introduction of literacy cannot be separated from other processes affecting the ecology of the Pacific languages” (190) and although he admits to present “rather radical overgeneralizations and observations” (189) …show more content…

Apart from this he attracts criticism by asserting a causal relation between the introduction of vernacular literacy and the decline of vernacular literacy, that in turn would lead to language shift, without providing sufficient evidence for such a coincidence. He ignores the presence of other potential factors completely and seems not taking into account that the introduction of literacy rests usually upon a political intend, either colonial or postcolonial, respectively is restricted by language policies. The resulting questions are rather, whether a vernacular language, a language of wider communication or a former colonial language should be chosen for the introduction of literacy and which medium would involve the fewest undesirable

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