ABSTRACT
In this final chapter, we summarize strategies for language revitalization and also some of the negatives—the persistence of factors that lead to language shift to the dominant language, conflicting internal attitudes toward Indigenous languages within the community, and the fact that, in general, only a minority of the population of a given speech community might be participating in language efforts. We warn against language revitalization of one language possibly leading to “devitalization” of other minority languages in the region. We also discuss the key issue of what counts as “success” or “failure” in language revitalization. While some language groups have the resources that could allow them to do highly effective language teaching, and develop their language’s presence across many venues, other, smaller language groups may instead feel quite fulfilled with smaller goals, such as developing their research capabilities of documentation, embarking on emblematic projects like phrasebooks and street signs in the language, and bringing words and phrases into their daily speech practice. We also evoke the adage “Just do it!” and point out that small successes can lead to ever-larger ones that might not even have been imagined when a community or an individual began their language journey.
