Where are the new languages?

Abstract

The use of the ecology metaphor is widespread in language studies, particularly in discussions about language policy and planning and minority language maintenance. Attributed to Haugen (1972), the metaphor emphasises the context in which languages are used, providing a holistic view of language and communication practices in a particular environment. Some authors link language diversity explicitly to environmental protection, noting that biodiversity coincides with language diversity (Krauss, 1992; Nettle and Romaine, 2000; Skutnab-Kangas, Maffi, and Harmon, 2003). The ecology metaphor seems to be linked mainly to the conservation of minoritized languages. In this article the argument is put forward that we need to recognise the limits of this metaphor where newly emerging languages are concerned. The implicit metaphor in the term ‘language ecology’ depends on an understanding of the natural world, so it can be argued that just as new species and new habitats are being discovered in the natural world, new languages should be acknowledged as part of the language landscape. Using the example of Sepitori and other urban varieties in South Africa, the article supports the recognition of newly emerging languages because it has important implications for education and for the potential of translanguaging classroom practices.

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