Do business and language revitalization go hand in hand? Example of a group of speakers using e-learning in New Caledonia
Résumé
Linguistic diversity in New Caledonia has been threatened for several decades by socio-economic, cultural, and environmental changes within the archipelago. While educational tools had previously been developing slowly, the COVID-19 crisis significantly accelerated the implementation of innovative distance learning programs for Kanak languages. These initiatives are welcome, as half of these languages are endangered (Dotte, 2022), just like New Caledonian biodiversity (Razafi & Wacalie, 2019). Even though schools have become spaces for transmission and sometimes revitalization in this unique French territory since their integration into the curriculum (Kanak languages (Wacalie, 2020) and Fundamental Elements of Kanak Culture (Wadrawane, 2024)), the "French-only" dynamic affecting indigenous languages is still far from disappearing. Thus, in recent years, considerable efforts have been made by local institutions over the years to produce open access digital resources for teachers for these new disciplines. The University of New Caledonia has notably distinguished itself by creating the first online learning tutorial for the Nengone language (Bearune & Vernaudon, 2014). Following the same model, a tutorial for Drubéa was launched in 2023 (Wacalie, 2024). Artificial intelligence is also playing a role in the revitalization process with programs such as C-Lara (Innovative approaches to speech and language technologies for Oceania) by Manny Rinner, which provides Kanak languages with additional resources in Iaai and Drehu (Dotte & Geneix-Rabault, 2024; Wattelez et al., 2024). In this presentation, we will discuss the initiative of a collective of Drehu speakers (the language of the Loyalty Islands) who have mobilized to revitalize their language under the auspices of the Nakupa platform, which promotes innovation, knowledge transmission, and sustainable development in the region. Its mission is to value and preserve the culture and nature of the "Pasifika" (Pacific Islanders), while helping local communities thrive. The collective itself benefits from the expertise of the e-reo program, which specializes in developing learning applications for minority languages. We will show the behind-the-scenes development of this initiative, including the challenges, obstacles, and numerous complex and divisive questions the collective faces, such as: can business and language revitalization coexist harmoniously?
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