Language as a Vehicle of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

When faced with the question as to what domains belong to the Intangible Cultural Heritage, people almost invariably mention language, often alongside music and dance. Nevertheless, article 2(1) of the 2003 Convention, which defines the intangible cultural heritage that is to be safeguarded, does not mention ‘language’ as such. The article does speak about ‘practices, representations and expressions, knowledge and skills ... that communities, groups and in some cases individuals, recognize as part of their cultural heritage’. The same paragraph also states that the heritage that is to be safeguarded, is transmitted from generation to generation, that it is constantly re-created and that it provides groups and communities with a sense of identity and continuity. Well, languages are transmitted from generation to generation, they are constantly re-created, they presuppose knowledge and skills, and speech acts can be described in terms of linguistic practices and expressions. Finally, languages as a rule play important if not crucial roles in the identities of groups and individuals. In the course of 2002 and 2003, while the draft of the Convention was being prepared at expert and intergovernmental meetings, the question of language was extensively discussed. There were a few voices in favour of the inclusion of language as such under the definition of intangible cultural heritage that is to be safeguarded. However, it was decided to include in Article 2(2) oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage as one of the domains in which the intangible cultural heritage is manifested.