ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I will examine the condition of indigenous languages in the post-colonial context taking into account two of its defining phenomena, namely, imperialism and nation-states. Where imperialism is concerned, I will discuss how it marginalizes indigenous languages through the appeal of its ‘common-sensical’ ideology of one world, one language. As for nation-states, I will analyze how the underlying paradigms of such states have essentially replicated and dragged on many of the discursive formations of the colonial era, and threaten numerous small, indigenous languages with extinction. In the course of my analysis, it will become clear how the workings of imperialism and nation-states, in many ways, overlap and how they collaborate with each other to marginalize indigenous people and their languages. This chapter aims to help create awareness about the impacts of imperialism and nation-states on indigenous languages in us. This should, in turn, motivate us to join the cause of indigenous peoples and their languages.
