Language Revival: the Manx Language - Jeffrey Micher | PG 2023

In this talk, we discuss language extinction and language revival, noting the overwhelming number of languages that are endangered. We highlight several language revitalization efforts, noting the most successful (Hebrew), and those that are struggling. Then we present the Manx language as a modern language revitalization success story. We look at the history of the language, why it declined, and how it has been revived. We then discuss interesting features of Manx and play a game with Manx-English cognates. Finally, we propose that you consider learning an endangered language to help support language preservation efforts, and suggest things to consider if you choose to do so.
Jeffrey Micher is a linguist and avid language learner / polyglot, with an MA in Linguistics (University of Pittsburgh) and an MS in Language Technologies (Carnegie Mellon University). He has taught ESL in the US and in France, and French in the US. He has worked in the field of Augmentative and Alternative Communication, developing computer interfaces for assistive language technology in multiple languages, and he has done research in Applied Linguistics and Machine Translation. His languages are English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Slovak, and Manx, with little bits of many, many others.
This video was recorded at the Polyglot Gathering 2023 (www.polyglotga...).

[@thatguyfromthere1168]

I attended this lecture and I loved it

[@fabermcmullen1]

Nil aon Manannach agam, ach ar a laghad thig liom teanga Ceilteach eile a labhairt. Nuair a bhi an fear ag labhairt bhi cuma Gaelige air. I speak no manx but at least I am able to speak another Celtic language. When the guy was talking, it had the air of Irish on it. This looks like just weirdly spelled Ulster kind of Irish. I pretty much understand it when I hear it.

[@seankayll9017]

Ta Paayl yn fer-ynsee ayms neesht!

[@kevingriffin1376]

When you present an origin for Manx Gaelic stick with it being an Indo-European language that is closely related to Irish and Scottish Gaelic. If Manx grammar is anything like Irish or Scottish grammar you probably have doubts about Gaelic just “blowing in” to Isle of Man. The “blowing in” mythology is used to diminish the link between the language and the people. It’s very likely that Manx Gaelic has very deep roots for the Manx people.