keelehooldust

Keelehooldust, often translated as language care or language maintenance, refers to the conscious efforts undertaken to preserve, develop, and promote the use of a particular language. This can involve a range of activities aimed at ensuring the vitality and continued relevance of a language, especially in contexts where it may be under threat from more dominant languages.

The concept of keelehooldust is particularly relevant for minority languages or languages spoken in multilingual societies. Activities within keelehooldust can include the creation of educational materials, the standardization of grammar and orthography, the promotion of language use in media and public life, and the development of language technology. It also encompasses efforts to encourage intergenerational language transmission, ensuring that younger generations learn and use the language.

The goals of keelehooldust are varied, but often include maintaining linguistic diversity, preserving cultural heritage associated with a language, and empowering speakers of that language. It can also be seen as a way to foster national or regional identity. Initiatives might be driven by governments, cultural organizations, educational institutions, or community groups. The effectiveness of keelehooldust depends on a variety of factors, including the level of support it receives, the engagement of its speakers, and the broader sociolinguistic environment.