Latest news with #languagepreservation
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The married 91-year-olds using Instagram to preserve Gujarati culture
A couple have become an unlikely hit on Instagram for their efforts to preserve their native Gujarati and Sharda Chandarana, both 91, have amassed thousands of followers on the social media platform where videos of their day-to-day life have been watched millions of of the couple, from Birstall, Leicestershire, have been posted by their granddaughter - showing them bickering playfully in Gujarati or dancing."We are Gujarati and we must teach our children the Gujarati language and make them proud to become a Gujarati," said Mr Chandarana. The couple, known as Nini and Nanu, have gained more than 84,000 followers on Instagram after their granddaughter Rupa Nathwani began posting about Nathwani said she initially intended only to show the humorous side of their relationship after her grandfather complained about how long her grandmother spent praying in 2024 - but the clip has been viewed 5.1 million times. The family are now using their online popularity to promote Gujarati language and culture."It was all very spontaneous," Ms Nathwani said."I just happened to be in the room when they were having one of their cute arguments and I just thought 'oh let me just record it, this is just funny'. "And then I uploaded it without thinking about anything and that was eight months ago, so it all happened very quickly, and we're completely overwhelmed with the response."She said she believed fewer and fewer young Gujaratis in Britain were sticking with the language."Whilst I think that English is an important language to know living here, it would be a shame not to pass on something that's so precious as well - which is speaking in your own language," she figures show there were 213,094 Gujarati speakers in England and Wales in number had declined to 189,000 a decade later. Mr Chandarana said he thought he was "too old" to be on social he said he was pleased to be able to use his new profile to highlight the importance of his native Chandarana said: "We shouldn't forget our sanskriti, our culture."We are proud to be Gujarati so we teach our children so everybody can be proud."Their granddaughter added: "I think they've got so much charm, vibrancy and personalities for that age, people love them for who they are, and they don't try to be anything else. "Nini's quite devotional, she's quite into her culture."Nanu likes to have a beer and they're both vocal about who they are and I think they're loved for being themselves."Many of the couple's Instagram followers have praised them for helping them reconnect with their said: "So much to learn from a generation that's almost dismissed."You helps me keep alive the little Gujarati I do understand. We are also learning new words from them." The couple met for the first time in Uganda in 1956 and were married the year after in a simple and intimate loved watching movies together and going on long 1971, they moved to London where Mr Chandarana worked in relocated to Birstall in 2023 to live with their daughter and grandchildren, and have now been married for 68 their secret to a long-lasting marriage?Mrs Chandarana says "forgive and forget", while Mr Chandarana added: "Love is very important."
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Preserving Our Linguistic Heritage: How Divya Mistry-Patel Is Revolutionizing Bilingual Education for Future Generations
By Ovais Riaz & Waa Say - Team Editorial Evrima Chicago BIRMINGHAM, GB / / June 30, 2025 / The Silent Crisis of Disappearing Languages In our increasingly globalized world, UNESCO warns that nearly half of all spoken languages are currently endangered, with one disappearing every two weeks. Against this sobering backdrop, educator and author Divya Mistry-Patel has emerged as a passionate advocate for linguistic preservation through her groundbreaking work in children's literature. Mistry-Patel is an educator, entrepreneur, and celebrated children's book author. She has taken a bold step toward making bilingual learning both accessible and engaging. A Personal Journey Becomes a Cultural Mission Born into a multicultural Gujarati family in the UK, Mistry-Patel experienced firsthand the gradual erosion of heritage languages in diaspora communities. "I watched cousins who could understand Gujarati but couldn't speak it, and eventually children who couldn't even understand," she recalls. This personal observation sparked what would become her life's work-creating tools to make language learning accessible, engaging, and intergenerational. Her latest creation, Mari Rang Be Range Biladi (translated as "My Colourful Cat"), represents far more than just another bilingual picture book. It's a comprehensive language-learning system that includes: Dual-language storytelling with culturally rich narratives Gujarati alphabet introduction with phonetic guides Comprehension exercises designed for family participation QR-code linked audiobook for proper pronunciation Full English translation for non-Gujarati-speaking parents Opportunities to see that diversity is to be celebrated and beauty is within us all The Growing Demand for Multilingual Education Recent studies from the University of Chicago demonstrate that bilingual children develop stronger executive function skills, showing 20% greater cognitive flexibility than monolingual peers. Yet despite these proven benefits, the publishing industry has been slow to respond. A 2022 survey by the Cooperative Children's Book Center revealed that while 33% of U.S. children come from bilingual homes, only 12% of children's books published that year offered any non-English content. In the UK, around 20% of children speak or understand more than one language. Furthermore, around half of the world's population speaks two or more languages. Mistry-Patel has positioned herself at the forefront of changing this disparity. "This isn't just about language retention," she explains. "It's about giving children the tools to navigate their multicultural identities with confidence." Breaking Barriers in Publishing The path to bringing Mari Rang Be Range Biladi to market reveals systemic challenges in the publishing industry. Major retailers often relegate bilingual books to "special interest" sections-when they carry them at all. Traditional publishers frequently reject bilingual manuscripts, citing "limited market potential." Yet professionals continue to emphasize the importance of encouraging parents to speak in their mother tongue with their children. Research has shown the benefits of bilingual learners, yet this is not reflected on our bookshelves. In a world where native languages are slowly fading from everyday use, Mistry-Patel is on a mission to ensure cultural heritage and linguistic roots are preserved. Undeterred, she adopted an innovative hybrid approach: Self-publishing to maintain creative control and raise awareness Partnering with educational institutions for distribution Developing teacher resources to encourage classroom adoption Leveraging social media to build direct community support This strategy has yielded impressive results, with the book gaining traction in both educational circles and Gujarati communities worldwide. Recognition and Future Horizons The impact of Mistry-Patel's work is gaining institutional recognition. She currently holds nominations for: Kent Women in Business Awards 2025 (Runner-Up in Innovation Award & Finalist in Women In Education Award) The Tutors' Association Awards (Shortlisted in two categories: Education Resources for Tuition 2025 and Tuition Partner of the Year 2025) The Diversity Book Awards (shortlist announcement imminent) Through her company, Academic Achievements Ltd, she is now developing versions in Punjabi, Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil-potentially reaching over 500 million native speakers globally. A recent partnership with local schools and Kent libraries has made the book freely available to local families, with plans for similar initiatives nationwide. How Readers Can Support the Movement Mistry-Patel emphasizes that preserving linguistic diversity requires a community effort: Request bilingual books at local bookstores and libraries Share experiences using #MotherTongueMatters Engage with content on Instagram and Facebook Participate in virtual reading events Gift bilingual books for birthdays and holidays Read to your children or listen to audiobooks together The Ripple Effect of Language Preservation As linguist Dr. Ananya Sharma notes, "When we lose a language, we don't just lose words-we lose entire ways of seeing the world." Mistry-Patel's work represents a vital countercurrent to this loss, creating what educators are calling "the building blocks of cultural continuity." With Mari Rang Be Range Biladi available on Amazon and her expanding series underway, Mistry-Patel is proving that one passionate voice can indeed change the narrative-in any language. Mistry-Patel has more books coming soon in both South Asian languages and in English. The books are all designed to empower young minds and encourage their love for learning. Through Mistry-Patel's experience in the education sector, her experience over the years has allowed her to create resources with neurodivergent students in mind. Keep up-to-date with the latest resources, services and books created by Academic Achievements Ltd on their socials. Connect with the Movement Platform Details Website Instagram @academicachievementsltd,@author_divyamistrypatel Facebook Academic Achievements Educational Inquiries help@ info@ Disclaimer This article was authored, developed, and distributed by Evrima Chicago, LLC, serving as the official editorial and media representative for Divya Mistry-Patel, founder of Academic Achievements Ltd and author of Mari Rang Be Range Biladi. This content is released for educational, cultural, and journalistic purposes. Evrima Chicago officially represents Divya Mistry-Patel for all media, publicity, and syndication matters related to this article and affiliated literary works. The views, insights, and commentary expressed herein are based on interviews, verified statements, and publicly available materials, and reflect the intent to inform and inspire discourse on bilingual education and cultural preservation. This article is not legal advice, nor does it reflect the views of any government agency or institutional partner mentioned. All statistics, studies, and expert quotes referenced are cited in the Sources & Citations section at the end of this publication. Reproduction, excerpting, or redistribution of this content must credit both the author and Evrima Chicago, LLC as the originating editorial source. Educators, community leaders, librarians, and institutions are encouraged to use this article as part of broader conversations on multilingualism, diversity, and inclusive learning. Media & PR Contact Dan WassermanHead of Media & Public AffairsPR@ (909) 326-0347Evrima Chicago - Editorial Syndication Bureau Sources & Citations Source Details UNESCO Language Endangerment Report University of Chicago Study on Bilingualism Bialystok, E., & Barac, R. (2012). Executive Function and Cognitive Flexibility in Bilingual Children Cooperative Children's Book Center 2022 Report UK Gov Report on Children's Language Usage Department for Education, UK (2020) Dr. Ananya Sharma Quote Language and Identity Studies, Delhi University Symposium, 2023 SOURCE: Evrima Chicago LLC. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Inquiry finds appointment of Fiji's former corruption commissioner "ethically reprehensible" and "politically motivated"
On the program today The former head of Fiji's corruption watchdog, Barbara Malimali, says she'll fight to clear her name following a scathing inquiry which described her appointment as ethically reprehensible and plitically motivated. The leaders of Tonga and Vanuatu seek clarity from the US government over possible new travel bans. The Cook Islands compete in the 2025 International Handball Federation Youth Men's Beach Handball World Championships. Calls for labour hire companies to be licenced in New South Wales to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers. And a proposal for a Solomon Islands Indigenous Language Centre is touted as a way to retain traditional languages for future generations.
Free Malaysia Today
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Velvet Aduk's Dusun album ‘Ogingol' is a love letter to her culture
Velvet Aduk's 'Ogingol' is her first album fully in Dusun. (Velvet Aduk pic) PENAMPANG : Sabahan singer-songwriter Velvet Aduk had a frightening realisation – her four children weren't all that interested in speaking Dusun. And they weren't alone. Many young Dusun speakers across Sabah seemed to be drifting away from the language too. 'I told them, 'When you grow up, you're going to regret not learning this language,'' Aduk, 37, shared with FMT Lifestyle. Determined to do something about it, she set to work in her home studio. Fourteen months of creative effort later, she released her first-ever fully Dusun album, 'Ogingol'. 'This album is a reminder to my children to appreciate and learn their mother tongue… and really, it's for all young people,' she said about the nine-track album she co-produced and co-arranged with longtime collaborators Brandon Laurie and Andy O'Mail. Aduk took 14 months to create the album together with her frequent collaborators Andy O'Mail (left) and Brandon Laurie. (Velvet Aduk pic) She said the album, her third, is also her way of preserving the specific Dusun dialect spoken in her hometown of Kampung Inobong. 'You don't hear many people speaking it anymore. I think it's going to go extinct soon, which is really sad.' Even the album's title, 'Ogingol' – which means beautiful – uses a word found only in Kampung Inobong, making the project all the more personal for Aduk, a former Akademi Fantasia contestant. 'I don't actually speak Kadazan or Dusun fluently,' admitted Aduk, naming Sabahan singers Hain Jasli, Francis Landong, and Masnie Sumiran as her inspirations. 'My knowledge of the language is super limited, so writing lyrics felt like going round in circles with the same words. It took me quite a while to actually finish all the songs. It was frustrating but at the same time, it was fun because writing is my escapism.' Aduk hopes her album will spark an interest in the younger generation to get reacquainted with their culture. (Velvet Aduk pic) With no big studio backing her, Aduk recorded the entire album at home using GarageBand, later teaming up with her 'boys' to polish things up. 'It was all DIY – vocals at home, jam sessions in the studio. And I've never gone to music school, never had vocal lessons, so this is all done just through my own experience.' The album's nine tracks are a mix of genres – pop, soul, even a bit of funk – but all sung in Dusun. 'I didn't want it to sound like a typical Kadazan Dusun album, with the sound of gongs or other traditional elements. Normally, they have this same sound or vibe to them,' Aduk revealed. 'I wanted to make a Dusun album that doesn't sound like a Dusun album. Something unconventional. One that even non-Dusun people would be able to jive to.' Despite the playful beats, the creative process was deeply emotional. 'There were times I almost cried while singing,' Velvet confessed. 'Like the song 'Mintogod'. It's an expression of anger, of wanting something that you cannot have, and having something that you no longer have within you. At one point I was telling a friend that I feel so drained because I've put everything into the album.' Aduk shared the stage with sape player Alena Murang (left) and Sabahan singer-actress Marsha Milan Londoh (right) last year for the 'Sounds Of Borneo' concert at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas. (Velvet Aduk pic) Perhaps the most personal song of all is 'Kopiruba Wagu Insan Tadau', which she wrote for her late father. 'My dad was ill for ten years before he passed. My mum took care of him every day. That song is about letting go of someone you love… even though your heart doesn't want to,' she said, her voice softening. 'It's saying goodbye, but also 'see you again soon'.' Another track that's close to Aduk's heart is Kaandaman, written by Laurie in Kadazan. The song is all about memories. Thinking back to her childhood, Aduk recalled staying at her grandparents' house, listening to old Kadazan songs on the radio, and picking up cassette tapes at the market. 'I wish I could go back to those days, growing up in the kampung. Back then, everyone spoke in Dusun.' More than anything, Aduk wants her new album to spark pride, curiosity, and love for culture, especially among younger Sabahans who may feel far from their roots. 'I hope this album acts as a reminder, especially for the younger generation, to really hold the culture dear to their heart, even though they are far away.' 'Ogingol' is now available on all major streaming platforms. Follow Velvet Aduk on Facebook and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
AP PHOTOS: Cyprus' Maronites fight to stop their Cypriot Maronite Arabic from extinction
KORMAKITIS, Cyprus (AP) — Only about 900 people in the world speak Cypriot Maronite Arabic. The offshoot of Syrian Arabic has been passed on orally over the centuries. Now it is at risk of extinction. That's according to the Council of Europe's minority language experts. But the Maronite community in Cyprus is fighting back. It has help from the Cypriot government and the European Union to save the language. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
