In today’s interconnected world, the ability to speak multiple languages and communicate across linguistic divides is a critical skill. Even partial knowledge of more than one language is beneficial. Proficiency in additional languages is a new kind of global literacy. Language learning needs to be expanded for all – young and old.
However, millions of people across the globe are denied the inherent right to maintain, enjoy and develop their languages of identity and community. This injustice needs to be corrected in language policies that support multilingual societies and individuals.
We, the participants of Salzburg Global Seminar’s session on Springboard for Talent: Language Learning and Integration in a Globalized World(December 12-17, 2017), call for policies that value and uphold multilingualism and language rights.
Full Statement in English (PDF)
TRANSLATIONS
The Salzburg Statement for a Multilingual World was jointly drafted in English by Salzburg Global Fellows. All translations have been provided through the goodwill and voluntary efforts of the Fellows and their colleagues. The Statement is in the following languages (PDFs are being added on a rolling basis):
Full Statement in all languages (PDF)
Full Statement in all languages (link)
Cornish (in progress)
Faroese (in progress)
IcelandicIrish (in progress)
Kurdish (in progress)
Saami (in progress)
Turkish (in progress)
REFERENCES
Language Atlas, UNESCO: http://www.unesco.org/languages-atlas
Joseph Lo Bianco, “Resolving ethnolinguistic conflict in multi-ethnic societies,” Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-017-0085
“40% don’t access education in a language they understand,” UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/news/40-don-t-access-education-language-they-understand
“617 million children and adolescents not getting the minimum in reading and math,” UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/news/617-million-children-and-adolescents-not-getting-minimum-reading-and-math
World Migration Report 2015, International Organization for Migration: https://www.iom.int/world-migration-report-2015
The Fifth Largest Country, Population Connection: http://www.populationconnection.org/article/fifth-largest-country/
Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/