Language Vitality Index: Modeling and Testing

Language vitality, or viability, is determined by a combination of objective and subjective components of a linguistic situation and may be defined as an assessment of a language’s current functional status as well as a certain forecast regarding its use in the future. The evaluative and predictive nature of language vitality necessitates the use of tools to determine its level. This article proposes a version of a language vitality index designed for this purpose. The index incorporates such parameters as language proficiency, its use in family and non-family communication, intergenerational language transmission, speakers' language loyalty, and the rate of decline in the number of speakers. The proposed index is being tested to determine the current level of vitality of the Komi-Permyak language. This language is classified as endangered, which requires regular monitoring of its state. The proposed index provides a practical instrument for this task. The data required to calculate the index were obtained from a survey conducted in 2023−2024 among 87 Komi-Permyak respondents. An analysis of demographic data and informants' responses shows that the current vitality index of the Komi-Permyak language is 31.7, indicating a low level of vitality. This assessment coincides with vitality assessments obtained using qualitative methods, which confirms the validity of the index; however, the index is a more precise tool and determines the level of vitality not at intervals, but at points. In addition, the values of the component indices demonstrate that both objective (the functional status of the Komi-Permyak language) and subjective (speakers' language loyalty) components of the linguistic situation are vulnerable, which may push the language towards a language shift situation.