Revivalistics: Language reclamation, spirituality andwellbeing

Abstract

To what extent does knowledge and use of language affect spirituality and wellbeing? Hallett et al. discovered a clear correlation in British Columbia (Canada) between Aboriginal language loss and youth suicide. However, so far there has been no study of a correlation in the other direction, i.e. the impact of language revival on improved mental health and reduction in suicide. There is some evidence that just as language loss increases suicidal ideation and depression, language gain reduces mental ill-health, and improves spirituality and wellbeing. In this chapter I make these links, and argue that language revival reconnects people who have ‘lost’ their ‘soul’ with their cultural autonomy, intellectual sovereignty and spirituality.