The Digital Revitalization of Endangered Languages: The Case of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish)
Wednesday April 2, 2025 | 7:30pm – Vahlkamp
Not open to the public.
In this lecture, Dr. Carlos Yebra López explores the digital revitalization of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), the language of the Jews expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in 1492. Drawing upon the methodological framework of Revivalistics and including a comparative analysis with similar initiatives apropos further endangered languages such as Yiddish, Chavacano and Palenquero, he examines the role of online platforms, social media, and virtual communities. The talk highlights how digital spaces foster linguistic continuity, cultural preservation, and identity formation. Special attention will be given to emerging conventions and their impact on Ladino's sociolinguistic evolution, showcasing how technology both responds to and reshapes the anxieties surrounding language loss.