The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China)
This study examines the role of Buddhism in the vitality of local languages as an asset of indigenous traditions, focusing on two geographically disconnected minority language communities: Tai Phake in the state of Assam, India, and Wutun (<i>Ngandehua</i>) in the Qinghai province of Chi...
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2025-04-01
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| author | U-tain Wongsathit Erika Sandman Chingduang Yurayong |
| author_facet | U-tain Wongsathit Erika Sandman Chingduang Yurayong |
| author_sort | U-tain Wongsathit |
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| description | This study examines the role of Buddhism in the vitality of local languages as an asset of indigenous traditions, focusing on two geographically disconnected minority language communities: Tai Phake in the state of Assam, India, and Wutun (<i>Ngandehua</i>) in the Qinghai province of China. The investigation addresses various factors related to the ecology of speech communities discussed in connection with religion. The data are based on longitudinal observations from personal fieldwork in the respective locations over the past two decades. The descriptive and comparative analysis applies an ecology-based typology of minority language situations to assess the contribution of individual factors in three different domains (speakers, language, and setting) to the vitality of the Tai Phake and Wutun languages. The results reveal several areas in which Buddhism as a cultural authority has noticeably contributed to language preservation. The effects of Buddhism are considered significant in enhancing demographic stability, social setting, attitudes, awareness of historical legacy, education in monasteries, and sustainable economics. In contrast, religion does not account for the vitality of these local languages in situations where a low degree of dialectal variation does not complicate intergenerational transmission of language, the minority status of the speech community is unique, and space for language in the institutionalised domain of use is insufficiently provided. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a36aed7cb4bb4e078a451fffdf1d20f3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-a36aed7cb4bb4e078a451fffdf1d20f32025-08-20T02:33:48ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-04-0116556610.3390/rel16050566The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China)U-tain Wongsathit0Erika Sandman1Chingduang Yurayong2Department of Oriental Languages, Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, Bangkok 10200, ThailandDepartment of Languages, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Languages, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandThis study examines the role of Buddhism in the vitality of local languages as an asset of indigenous traditions, focusing on two geographically disconnected minority language communities: Tai Phake in the state of Assam, India, and Wutun (<i>Ngandehua</i>) in the Qinghai province of China. The investigation addresses various factors related to the ecology of speech communities discussed in connection with religion. The data are based on longitudinal observations from personal fieldwork in the respective locations over the past two decades. The descriptive and comparative analysis applies an ecology-based typology of minority language situations to assess the contribution of individual factors in three different domains (speakers, language, and setting) to the vitality of the Tai Phake and Wutun languages. The results reveal several areas in which Buddhism as a cultural authority has noticeably contributed to language preservation. The effects of Buddhism are considered significant in enhancing demographic stability, social setting, attitudes, awareness of historical legacy, education in monasteries, and sustainable economics. In contrast, religion does not account for the vitality of these local languages in situations where a low degree of dialectal variation does not complicate intergenerational transmission of language, the minority status of the speech community is unique, and space for language in the institutionalised domain of use is insufficiently provided.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/566Buddhismindigenous traditionsindigenous knowledgelanguage ecologyrevitalisationreligion and linguistics |
| spellingShingle | U-tain Wongsathit Erika Sandman Chingduang Yurayong The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China) Religions Buddhism indigenous traditions indigenous knowledge language ecology revitalisation religion and linguistics |
| title | The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China) |
| title_full | The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China) |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China) |
| title_short | The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China) |
| title_sort | role of buddhism in the language ecology and vitality of tai phake in assam india and wutun in qinghai china |
| topic | Buddhism indigenous traditions indigenous knowledge language ecology revitalisation religion and linguistics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/566 |
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