The question of how to visually represent spoken language was settled generations ago. However, consideration of the advantages of different alphabets becomes extremely important when it comes to creating a writing system for unwritten languages. When we read about Native Americans attempting to preserve their languages, we take the writing systems they use for granted. Logically, it would either be a traditional, unique script or the Roman script used for English. Roman script is used all over the world and can cause people in Western Europe and the Americas to assume that Roman script is the standard with some notable exceptions. Therefore, whenever a writing system is being created for an unwritten language, it may seem only natural that the Roman alphabet would be used.
This need not be the case. In fact, what proof is there that the Roman alphabet is best suited to represent these languages? Would not a more comprehensive choice of writing systems allow language communities to more precisely and efficiently write their languages than if they arbitrarily chose the Roman alphabet? A Korean group is raising such questions with its promotion of Hangul as a writing system for unwritten languages. Lee Ki-nam, a wealthy South Korean, is pushing to make Hangul the writing system of choice for currently unwritten languages. Her group, the Hunminjeongeum Society, achieved its first success last year with the introduction of Hangul textbooks for the Cia-Cia minority group in Indonesia. Ms. Lee hopes to continue helping groups like the Cia-Cia write their languages down with the aid of the Hangul script.
The prospect of Hangul's spread raises questions about how to go about choosing a writing system. Often, the choice is heavily influenced by politics and the desire to make a political statement. It may not be a coincidence that Bahasa Indonesia, the main Indonesian langauge, uses the Roman script. This fact might have influenced the Cia-Cia to choose a script that would be harder to learn and understand for Bahasa speakers. Putting politics aside though, how could a language group determine what writing system would be best for them? Would they choose it based on similarity to their own collection of sounds and speaking patterns? Would it be based on ease of learning, by perhaps choosing to have the fewest number of characters possible? How is the choice influenced by other language groups using the same writing system? Would a group choose a writing system based on the ability to use already established computers, printing presses, etc?
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It seems that the greatest consideration to take into account is the accessibility of the written alphabet and the intended exclusivity of the unspoken language. I know that some groups of people see their language as their power and want to keep it only within their small communities. For purposes of preservation I would think that these groups would choose less well-known alphabets so that they maintain their privacy. On the other hand, if a group wants to encourage learning and circulation of their language they should perhaps choose the Roman alphabet for it is one of the more common alphabets. Clearly it all depends on the preference of the speakers, but it really depends on their vision of their language and how they want it to be used.
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