Revitalisation of Endangered Mehri and Soqotri Languages: SD Perspective in Reinforcing their Future

Authors

  • Professor Dr. Hussein Ali Habtoor . Professor of Linguistics. Dept. of English, College of Education at Ataq. Shabwah University, Shabwah. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5146-0774

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71311/.v6iS1.207

Keywords:

SD, MSAL, Mehri, Soqotri, Language Policy and Planning

Abstract

This paper addresses the importance of revitalisation of endangered languages and the awareness raising of the importance of minorities’ languages in Yemen through Sustainable Development (SD) perspectives. Undoubtedly, Mehri and Soqotri languages are the largest spoken Modern South Arabian Languages (MSAL). These MSAL comprise Mehri, Soqotri, Jibbali ‘Shihri’, Hobyot, Harsusi, and Bathari. Being the two biggest of these languages, according to the number of their native speakers, Mehri and Soqotri are considered the earliest and most traditional Semitic MSAL in the region. Although Mehri varieties spread over a wide range of lands in Yemen, Oman, and recently in Saudi Arabia, Soqotri remains within the territorial borders of Yemen, that is within the Socotra Island. However, they are the two important MSAL in Yemen, which need special preservation schemes to be revitalised and preserved within the life circle of their geographical domains of their indigenous speech communities. To underpin their vital role in their local societies, of course, important measures are to be commenced, of which documentation is an important step, which in this case has begun as early as the second half of the twentieth century on the hands of European linguists. Along with other important measures, this will be accomplished through a collaboration of both official and non-official efforts, including linguistic and social actions, in language policy and language planning (LPP). This would be maintained through supporting experts in linguistics and sociolinguistics and other allied disciplines to put scientific solutions to preserve Mehri and Soqotri through strengthening their role in their speech communities. This might be done through different SD strategies like developing Mehri and Soqotri language curriculum for younger generations in primary schools, developing programmes through mass media and other modern multimedia and social media applications to ensure their maintenance and continuation for the coming generations.      

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الغلاف

Published

2025-06-22

How to Cite

Habtoor , H. A. (2025). Revitalisation of Endangered Mehri and Soqotri Languages: SD Perspective in Reinforcing their Future. AL-Mahrah Journal of Humanities, 6(S1), 792–816. https://doi.org/10.71311/.v6iS1.207