How I learned an endangered language—and why it matters | Jonathan Mayers | TEDxBatonRouge

Jonathan Mayers explores the profound impact of nostalgia and the preservation of heritage languages, focusing on the endangered Creole language of Louisiana, Kouri-Vini. As an artist and poet, Jonathan shares personal experiences of reconnecting with memories through Kouri-Vini, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of the language. He details the challenges faced by the language, the creation of a unique orthography, and the community-driven efforts to ensure the survival and growth of Kouri-Vini for future generations. Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers is a visual artist, independent curator, educator, and cultural activist who uses Kouri-Vini, the endangered Creole language of Louisiana, in both his writing and daily life. Working to preserve this heritage language, Jonathan founded Latannyèrizm, a form of Louisiana Creole art that melds visual art, language, and physical place, and co-founded Chinbo, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to the reclamation of Kouri-Vini. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx