How is language consolidation affecting the world's 6,500 + languages?
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[Edited at 2017-04-20 09:56 GMT]
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[Edited at 2017-04-20 09:59 GMT]
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[Edited at 2017-04-20 10:05 GMT]
| | | | | Language is a natural phenomenon | Apr 20, 2017 |
and it cannot be constrained in any way. If English is the most popular language right now--be it. There have always been languages which served as lingua franca--Latin, French, possibly others in certain parts of the globe. The reason why people do not abandon their local languages or mother tongues is love of those languages, and feeling that they are a part of their identity. The solution for the modern world may be bilingual education in places where many languages are naturally spoken, like... See more and it cannot be constrained in any way. If English is the most popular language right now--be it. There have always been languages which served as lingua franca--Latin, French, possibly others in certain parts of the globe. The reason why people do not abandon their local languages or mother tongues is love of those languages, and feeling that they are a part of their identity. The solution for the modern world may be bilingual education in places where many languages are naturally spoken, like India or Russia. Also protecting Native and indigenous languages of the US and Canada, just as examples, may be of utmost importance, which does not mean that the quality of publishable English should be compromised in those places--the language of publications, school instruction and formal discourse.
Note to moderator: After editing the entire text disappears. There must be some technical problem on Proz to get attended to. ▲ Collapse
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Mario Chavez (X) 
Local time: 02:52
английский => испанский
+ ...
| Love of language | Apr 20, 2017 |
I disagree. People, in practice, use their language for a variety of reasons: to buy and sell, to transmit familial, tribal and regional stories of which they are part, to sing, dance and, in most (but not all) cases, to leave a written imprint of their presence.
However, in the face of another language, different outcomes can be seen: borrowing, assimilation or coexistence of two languages. Eventually, if one language proves to be a better vehicle for a group of people, they will a... See more I disagree. People, in practice, use their language for a variety of reasons: to buy and sell, to transmit familial, tribal and regional stories of which they are part, to sing, dance and, in most (but not all) cases, to leave a written imprint of their presence.
However, in the face of another language, different outcomes can be seen: borrowing, assimilation or coexistence of two languages. Eventually, if one language proves to be a better vehicle for a group of people, they will adopt that language and, in a generation or two, abandon their former tongue.
We need to be careful not to be carried away by romanticized and idealistic ideas about languages and their position in the world. Prompted by what we call globalization, we tend to build a construct or grid of languages and their role or categorization in our world. For statistical purposes, that may make sense, but not for ultimately understanding from the inside out what language is to a people. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | 6,499+ too many | Apr 20, 2017 |
Languages are like religions, nations and teenage children - having more than one is a really bad idea.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 02:52
английский => испанский
+ ...
| Like nations? | Apr 21, 2017 |
Chris S wrote:
Languages are like religions, nations and teenage children - having more than one is a really bad idea.
And here I pegged you as a Brexiter.
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