DIGITAL REVIVAL: TECHNOLOGY AND PRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES

Abstract

Digital technologies have become important tools in preserving and revitalizing Indigenous languages, many of which face serious threats due to colonization, globalization, and cultural assimilation. Innovations such as mobile apps, digital archives, AI-based language tools, and social media platforms have expanded opportunities for documentation, teaching, and language transmission. These tools make learning more accessible and allow community members, including those living far from their homelands, to stay involved. However, their success depends on meaningful community leadership and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems. Ongoing challenges such as unequal digital access, data sovereignty concerns, and the need to decolonize technological frameworks highlight the complexity of this work. This chapter explores both the potential of digital technologies and the ethical responsibilities involved in their use for sustaining Indigenous languages.