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ET H N O -  L A N G UAG E S

SW8

What

What Is It?

BENCHMARK

The term ethno-languages refers to traditional or

No decline in proportion of individuals

No

indigenous languages remaining in active use by a

that speak the ethno-language of their

population. This indicator is a measure of the numbers

ethnic or cultural group.

of individuals who continue to speak ethno-languages

within specified coastal municipalities.

TA R G E T

Why

Why Do We Measure It?

Maintain or increase the proportion

of individuals that speak the ethno-

of

The use of ethno-languages is an indicator of a

language

language of their ethnic or cultural

population's adherence to their traditional lifeways

group.

and cultural identity17,18,19. Outside influences and the

encroachment of a modern lifestyle act against the

preservation of traditional practices and values which,

RED FL AG

in turn, are strongly linked to the use of traditional

A reduction in the proportion of

languages. Because a direct correlation is suspected

individuals

individuals that speak the ethno-

between cultural and linguistic diversity, biological

language of their ethnic or cultural

language

diversity, and the stewardship of natural resources,

group.

group.

the disappearance of cultural practices and the loss

of ethno-languages may indicate both a deterioration

of the socio-cultural context and the weakening of

sound natural resource stewardship.

studies have noted a relationship between cultural

diversity, local knowledge, resource stewardship and

How Do We Measure It?

biological diversity. Many traditional groups around

the world that have strong historical ties to local land

The indicator measures the percentage and absolute

and marine areas maintain traditional practices and

numbers of individuals that report the ability to speak

values that support the conservation and sustainable

an ethno-language. The question used to obtain

management of the resources upon which they

the indicator is slightly different for each country.

depend for their livelihoods. Further study is required

The Mexican and Guatemalan censuses report the

to determine whether this correlation holds true for

number of individuals in the population that speak

different groups in the MAR region.

an indigenous language. The Belize census reports

the main language that individuals speak in their

Furthermore, the relationship between the growth of

homes. In contrast, the census in Honduras does

tourism and the persistence of traditional cultures is

not request information on languages but rather on

of particular interest because of the accompanying

ethnic identification. Although it is likely that many

exposure to foreign cultures. Tourism can be a force

individuals identifying themselves with a non-ladino

that provokes rapid cultural change, including loss of

(i.e., mainstream) ethnic group speak the traditional

local identity and values. At the same time, tourism

language associated with that group, ethnic self-

can boost the preservation and transmission of

identification is a different indicator of ethnic diversity

cultural and historical traditions. For example, Garifuna

and should not be strictly compared with data from

entrepreneurs in Hopkins, Belize, offer drumming and

the other three countries, although it may have some

dance classes, folkloric performances, and traditional

comparative value.

medicinal services to tourists.

Usefulness

Status

Language  uniquely  encodes  culturally-specific

The  main  ethno-languages  spoken  in  the

forms of knowledge and values and the decline or

Mesoamerican reef communities include a wide

disappearance of language use therefore provides one

variety of pre-Columbian indigenous languages as

of the most salient signs of culture loss. Both cultural

well as Creole and Garifuna that emerged during the

and biological diversity constitute part of the rich

colonial period. The highest percentages of individuals

heritage of the MAR region. Some conservation-based

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