The Hegemony of English Language in the Digital Era: Safeguarding Linguistic Diversity as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The work aims to delve into the multifaceted and broadening realm of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), with a focus on the preservation of linguistic diversity in the age of digitalisation. Article 2(2) of the UNESCO Convention (2003) defines “oral traditions and expressions, including languages, as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage”. Nonetheless, drawing on interdisciplinary discourses surrounding ICH and its relationship to language preservation, practice, and revitalisation, the work suggests that language be considered a form and practice of heritage in and of itself, not merely a vehicle of ICH. Indeed, considering the crucial role of languages as one of the main domains in which cultural heritage is manifested, it is paramount to provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations underpinning sociolinguistics studies on the hegemony of English in the digital world. The article presents a state-of-the art overview of the concept of language as heritage following an interdisciplinary approach ranging from individual aspects of heritage language knowledge to broader societal, educational, and policy concerns in local and international contexts. In particular, the contribution of digital technologies will be analysed as a means for prioritising and at the same maintaining linguistic diversity. Inclusive and sustainable strategies for the documentation, revitalisation, and preservation of heritage languages will be explored with the aim of guaranteeing wider accessibility to culture via digital platforms and to understand better the implications of linguistic accessibility for ICH in the digital era.