How can conservation support language reclamation? Addressing colonialingualism in conservation

Abstract

Calls to decolonize Western conservation science have trended over the last two decades, yet colonialingualism and Indigenous language reclamation have yet to be fully considered. Colonialingualism is a process that involves the marginalization of Indigenous languages via the promotion of dominant languages and colonial ideologies. This thesis highlights how conservation can support Indigenous language reclamation and address colonialingualism. In my literature review, I found no literature that examined colonialingualism in conservation, and the languages Scots and Hawaiian Pidgin were almost absent from discussions in conservation. It is critical that language work is conducted on all levels to bring forth discernible change in decolonization. I use critical discourse analysis to examine colonialingualism in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (2022) Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The GBF was selected as a representation of institutional discourse on global conservation. In my analysis, I found discursive patterns aligned with colonialingualism, including monolingualism, human exceptionalism, white epistemological supremacy, top-down leadership, and market-based capitalist framings. I recommend changes to the colonialingual framings in the GBF to align the text with a multilingual approach. To gain insights into discourse at the actor level, contextualize the discussion, and elevate the voices of individuals working in Hawaiʻi and Scotland in language reclamation, I conducted four semi-structured interviews to discuss participants’ experiences and perspectives on language reclamation. Participants discussed future aspirations that present practical steps that could be implemented, such as having Indigenous language champions within organizations, scientific education through minority languages, Indigenous-led and Indigenous-designed conservation, and increased fluency and mastery of Indigenous languages. I linked some of the topics discussed in the interviews to the framings of colonialingualism in the GBF. I conclude with suggested further research and highlight the need for Western conservation science to support Indigenous language reclamation and address colonialingualism in efforts to fulfill decolonial methodologies.