Information technologies as a means of preservation of language and cultural diversity

Kryukova Liudmila Sergeevna

The article deals with the issues of preserving linguistic diversity and the role of information technologies in this process. The author refers to the activities of UNESCO, as well as the works of Russian and foreign scientists on this theme, compares statistical data on the distribution of languages in the Internet. The uniqueness of the work lies in the fact that language diversity is considered through the prism of the dissemination of languages through information technologies. As a result, the author comes to the conclusion that information technologies can have both positive and negative impact on the preservation of linguistic diversity and culture. English is the predominant language in the Internet. However, the existence of alternative sites in the native language and the availability of the Internet as a means of self-expression contribute to the preservation of the languages of small peoples and national minorities, and the dissemination of their culture and traditions.

Keywords:language, culture, cultural heritage, language diversity, language identity, information technologies, globalization, Internet.