What is the Witaj project?

Bretons are native people of Brittany Region of France. They belong to the Celtic language group. Approximately 30 years ago, a break came in their development: Parents ceased to hand their ancestors’ language down their children and the nation was threatened with extinguishment. At that time, a group of people, who mattered destiny of the Breton language and nation, took a lead and formed the Diwan ["seed" in Breton] movement. They intended to constitute nurseries and kindergartens where Breton language would be used only. After years of difficulties (Bretons was never accredited as an autonomous nation by the Republic of France), they celebrated accomplishments — first graduations in Breton language. It appears crisis is overcome.

In early 1990’s, it was apparent that evangelic Sorbian people of eastern Germany will loose their native language [Upper Sorbian and Lower Sorbian, two Slavic languages; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorbian_languages]. It happened the same as with Bretons. Parents didn’t hand native language down their offsprings. Jan Bart Sr., pioneer of idea analogous to the Diwan Project, in struggle for the Breton idea, clashed with grudge surprisingly. They said it is not realizable in Lusatia [historical region inhabited by Sorbians] and it is not possible to spend money for futilities. However, he broke impatience of crucial institutions due to goal-directed enlightment and others joined him. At length, Serbske šulske towarstwo (Sorbian School Association) protected the project and they began preparations for opening of first kindergarten where children would be educated in the Sorbian language entirely. Persuading of parents was pivotal. It was easier in families where grandmother or someone else still overmastered the Sorbian language. It was organized many edifying meetings in villages where the time and opinions of other villagers is the most important factor. Thanks to these efforts, some inhabitants of Žylow in Lower Lusatia, Rowne in central Lusatia, and Němcy near Kulow in Upper Lusatia were got for the idea of Sorbian kindergarten. Opening of other źiśownje ("kindergartens" in Lower Sorbian) in Lower Lusatia and pěstowarnje ("kindergartens" in Upper Sorbian) in Upper Lusatia is in full gear.

We can see first accomplishments today. Children from German-speaking families (whether German or Sorbian origin) are habituated to various pets from the kindergarten. They talk Sorbian to them in the kindergarten. If they have the pet at home too, they talk Sorbian to it as well! Namely in German-speaking household. Why children learn two languages so quickly? Children are inquiring by nature and, in pre-school age, they learn language by themselves as second mother language. For children coming from the Witaj ("welcome" in Sorbian) Project kintergarten, it is necessary to provide a school with large portion of Sorbian education and to provide them complete education in the Sorbian language. Sorbian even German parents are concerned in such education because the parents realize that Sorbian is a language alike Czech and Polish [Maybe, it is a reference to the fact that Lusatia borders on both the Czech Republic and Poland and knowledge of  these Slavic language could be an advantage in the employment market] and a person who learn two languages from a child has much more developed abstract thought. To form right curriculum is expensive and problematic. The solution will take some time still. Suprisingly, officials catched off guard represent the biggest check of the project.

It is important Sorbian grandmothers take a part in the education. They hand their dialect and pronounciation on children. Then slow chain reaction starts up. A child speaks Sorbian with its grandmother and parents don’t understand them. That is why they enroll courses of Sorbian language for adults. In ideal case, it leads into re-sorbianization of the family. Beside the problems foreshadowed above, however, another exists. Primarily, about thirty children finish the Lower Sorbian kindergartens but whom will they communicate with in ten years? Native speakers will not be and it will take some time to form language background from another grades. Therefore it is necessary to give much care to children and juvenile books and to aim broadcast and TV transmissions (ORB, MDR stations) at them in the future. The great campaign began in all former Sorbian Lusatia already. They play vabank in Lower Lusatia now! In light of the Bretons’ accomplishments, it is no wonder that all Sorbian Lusatia looks up the Witaj Project with hope and great expectations. However, it will not go without backing from all sides…

So, we call all friends of Lusatia to support the Witaj Project! Lower Lusatia plays vabank now!

What can and cannot the Witaj Project?

1. WITAJ never will substitute Sorbian family.
2. WITAJ will not transmit even exercise the German language.

but

3. WITAJ will transmit knowing bilingualism of a child.
4. WITAJ will make people to revalue their attitude to the importance of the Sorbian language and leads German-speaking parents to spontaneous decision for Sorbian.
5. WITAJ stimulates Sorbians to talk Sorbian with their children and grandchildren again.
6. WITAJ supports tolerance abroad.
7. WITAJ argumentation is atractive and useful for Sorbian family too.
8. WITAJ program is atractive for inhabitants of all Lusatia.
9. WITAJ proves that an adult can master basic Sorbian also, during intensive summer course and with help of extraordinary motivation.
10. WITAJ helps to form bilingual environment with living Sorbian language atmosphere up to the high school level.

Photos from the kindergarten in Žylow.

(translated by Áhanátamao'o from https://stare.luzice.cz/?rubrika=7)