Anu Lamp: The Estonian Language Only Survives If We Use It Every Day
Anu Lamp emphasizes the need for daily use of the Estonian language to ensure its survival, expressing concern over youth communicating in English.
Anu Lamp, a recipient of the Wiedemann Language Award, highlighted the critical importance of using the Estonian language daily to maintain its vitality, particularly among the younger generations. She is troubled by the trend of youth communicating primarily in English with one another, which threatens the future of their native language. In her acceptance speech, she underscored the necessity of speaking Estonian with children and grandchildren and reading to them in their mother tongue.
Lamp shared a personal anecdote about a recent accident while ice skating with her niece, resulting in a broken leg, which left her with a limp during the award ceremony. This award is a significant recognition for her, and she expressed that it took some time to fully appreciate the honor bestowed upon her. During the event, she also spoke candidly about language use in contemporary society, indicating that she is particularly perturbed by the frequent use of filler words like "like" and "so to speak," which can undermine clarity in communication.
She noted that while driving in the city, she frequently observes groups of young people conversing in English on the buses. This phenomenon is not just limited to Estonians but also extends to the Russian-speaking community, reflecting a broader trend in language use that could potentially diminish the prevalence and use of Estonian if not addressed. Lamp's remarks advocate for a collective responsibility in preserving the Estonian language, urging the community to consciously promote its use every day to ensure it thrives for future generations.