To Save a Language

The fate of an entire Indian language depends on an Estonian man.

Did anyone notice the message sent by Udmurt scientist Albert Razin when he set light to himself in front of the parliament house in Izhevsk in protest against Russia’s language policy that eradicates the languages of indigenous peoples? The world didn’t care about it, just as it doesn’t care about languages disappearing under our very eyes every month.

Indrek Park races against time to learn the language of the Mandan tribe who live in the prairies of North Dakota. His teacher is the last speaker of the language, 84-year-old Edwin Benson. The aim is not just to record it for history, but a lot more – to make Mandans to speak it again! In order to implement the ambitious plan, Park has to overcome a number of obstacles as well as inner doubts.

Heart-warming and inspiring.

Tiit Tuumalu