Agenda

02 Dec 2025 14:30

Language endangerment and well-being in the Ryukyu Islands

Tesa 1 (CFZ) and online on GMeet

Patrick Heinrich
Professor, Department of Asian and Mediterranean African Studies, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Before joining Ca’ Foscari, he taught at universities in Germany (Duisburg-Essen University) and Japan (Dokkyo University). His research interests focus on sociolinguistics, language endangerment, and urban communication.

Abstract: In this presentation, I examine how language influences well-being, drawing from two case studies I performed in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Globally, Indigenous language speakers, including those of Ryukyuan in Japan, have been transitioning from their ancestral languages to more dominant regional or national languages. Historically, this shift was viewed as a sign of social progress and successful integration into broader society. However, perceptions have changed. Currently, the focus is on the importance of conserving, revitalizing, or reclaiming ancestral languages, with official support. Additionally, sociolinguistic research now emphasizes a language-and-well-being paradigm. My talk is divided into three sections: an overview of current research on language and well-being, an analysis of the impact of suppressing ancestral languages, and an exploration of how maintaining Ryukyuan languages correlates with speaker well-being. To investigate these issues, I conducted two quantitative surveys in Amami and Okinawa, examining how Ryukyuan language skills relate to various well-being indicators.

Organized by Stella Rizzuti, Student Association GESSHIN, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

In-person participation is possible without reservation and subject to availability.
Online participation is possible upon reservation until December 1st 2025 at 8 p.m. (CET) through this link

You will receive a participation link on December 1st after 9 p.m. (CET). If you do not receive the link, please send an email to gesshin@unive.it

For information:
Instagram: gesshin_cafoscari 
Facebook: Gesshin – Associazione studentesca Università Ca’ Foscari 
Youtube: GESSHIN Ca' Foscari University
E-mail: gesshin@unive.it

Organized by

Department of Asian and North African Studies; Student Association GESSHIN, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

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