지구법학과 언어 생태계:브라질 토착어를 중심으로

This study examines the concept and significance of Earth Jurisprudence from an ecolinguistic perspective, focusing on the crisis currently faced by Brazil’s indigenous languages within the language ecology. Earth Jurisprudence emerged as a theoretical response to the limitations of modern environmental law, which has failed to address fundamental problems and remains entrenched in anthropocentric environmentalism. It emphasizes that all beings on Earth, alongside humans, possess inherent dignity and unique roles. From this perspective, ecolinguistics reveals that the spread of “standard language” policies and linguistic assimilation measures has led to the rapid extinction of indigenous languages and dialects. Notably, the rate of language loss has been faster than that of ecological collapse in the natural environment, highlighting the interdependence between language and natural ecologies and enabling us to view both crises in parallel. By analyzing the destruction and transformation of Brazil’s indigenous language ecology, this study argues that such linguistic ecological crises are directly linked to the broader risks facing the Earth’s systems. Furthermore, it contends that overcoming these challenges requires a shift toward an Earth Jurisprudence framework that moves beyond anthropocentric language and environmental policies, recognizing all forms of existence as equal subjects.