Abstract

This talk will outline a TAIGA-funded microstudy exploring the technological constraints and challenges surrounding the revitalization of Meänkieli, a minority language spoken in the northern parts of Sweden, particularly in the Tornedalen region. Meänkieli has endured a history of linguistic suppression, including state-enforced prohibitions on its use in schools and public spaces, which disrupted intergenerational transmission and contributed to its marginalization. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to revitalize Meänkieli, with efforts ranging from government language policies to grassroots advocacy by activists and educators. However, despite advancements in AI-driven language technologies, Meänkieli remains critically underrepresented in these systems, hindering its revitalization.

The Swedish Language Act establishes the legal framework for minority languages like Meänkieli, mandating public authorities to support their preservation and use. While there has been significant progress in language preservation efforts, the paper argues that digital tools—especially AI-driven systems like Google Translate and ChatGPT—often overlook minority languages, exacerbating inequalities and perpetuating marginalization. Through semistructured interviews with six language technologists, language conservators, and promoters working within a Swedish government agency, the first of our papers critically examines how "low resources"—both linguistic and financial—impact the development of language technologies for Meänkieli. The study explores the interplay between technological advancements, resource limitations, and the current state of Meänkieli, ultimately assessing whether AI tools can contribute to language revitalization or risk reinforcing the language’s marginalization.

Speakers

Moa Eriksson Krutrök, Associate professor at Department of Culture and Media Studies, Umeå University, explores how social media shapes our responses to crises—how we grieve, process trauma, and find resilience in digital spaces like Twitter and TikTok.

Pär Poromaa Isling, is an Associate professor at Department of Sociology, Umeå University

Please note. The subtitle was primarily generated by AI in collaboration with human review and may contain some errors.