The first strategic session “Information technologies and languages of the peoples of Russia” has begun in Moscow, during which scientists, linguists, digital tech specialists and IT developers will discuss the preservation of the linguistic heritage of the country’s small indigenous peoples.
According to estimates by the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, almost 91% of languages in Russia are disappearing or are under threat of extinction. To preserve the cultural and linguistic heritage of indigenous peoples, scientists are starting to use modern technologies.
The mining and metallurgical company Norilsk Nickel is mostly operating in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and it is actively cooperating with representatives of small indigenous peoples of the North, helping to preserve their cultural code. The company finances books, newspapers and teaching aids, and has also supported the development of mobile translators in the indigenous languages of Taimyr, Nornickel reported on its channel on the Telegram social network.
Thanks to these apps, people from all over the world can learn how the languages of the Entsy, Nenets, Nganasan, Dolgan and Evenki sound. The developers also gave native speakers the opportunity to make additions and corrections to the dictionaries.
“We hold folklore festivals, publish books and create groups in which children and their parents study their native Nganasan and Dolgan languages. As part of the project, we open new kindergartens in ethnic style that feature national costumes, models of homes, household items and musical instruments. This environment increases children’s interest in learning culture, traditions and language of their native people,” said Andrey Grachev, vice president of Nornickel for federal and regional programs, at the plenary session “Language and Digital: Synergy of State, Society and Business.”
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
