How do you measure success in language revitalization?

Short Answer #

Success can be measured in many ways, including increased language use, stronger community capacity, more educational resources, improved access to knowledge, and greater opportunities for future generations.

Expanded Answer #

One of the most common questions funders, leadership, and community members ask is: “How do we know if language revitalization is working?” The answer is not always simple. Language revitalization is different from many other projects because outcomes often develop over long periods of time. Some results may become visible quickly. Others may take years or even decades. Success may include:

• More recordings preserved
• More stories documented
• Stronger educational programs
• Increased learner participation
• Better organized language resources
• Greater community engagement
• More language use in daily life

Different communities may define success differently. The most important measure is often whether the language is becoming stronger according to community goals.