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Killer language

I was reading an article where was said that English is driving  western  Europe  toward
monolingualism and that English is a‘ killer language ’ par excellence, likely to displace indigenous languages everywhere.

I started to think would this really happen someday in the future. Must admit that on the other hand, the idea of a common language is tempting even if it destroys the linguistic diversity we have now. Communicating with each other, work in another country or just going for a holiday would be overly easily. Too easy. Yes, people tend to be lazy and thanks to that the wheel was invented – to make things easier.

However more than I think about using only English, more I feel against it. I like the feeling of accomplishment when learned new expression in other languages. I like how my tongue and mouth feel awkward trying to pronounce other speech sounds. I like to see the connections between cultures and words they are using. I like it difficult!

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Language super-TOP 10

Chinese, Spanish, English. That is the top 3. First due to an incomprehensible amount of speakers, second for colonialism and third thanks to globalization. Languages spread thanks to speakers. Speakers are born, they travel, interact with each other and with or without any intention, share their language with others. Languages live as long as they are used. 

This reminds me of the importance of maintaining the acquired language skill. If one already has made the effort and learned a new language, it would be a shame to lose that. Updating language skills can be fun and made with almost no effort. Read magazines, watch videos, meet new people. Anything but forget the language!

Start your day with a good morning in your mother tongue, chat a while with your international friends in language you share, write the shopping list in language you learned years ago to fresh your memory and keep the vocabulary active, watch a chapter of your favorite series in language you would like to learn and wish good night in one of the languages in danger to extinguish.

Oaidnaleapmái! (See you later in North Sami)

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Language rage

A Finnish newspaper published a piece of news mentioning shocking words about language rage,“Mainos herätti kieliraivon: “Puhukaa amerikkaa”. The reason was an advertisement video showed during the Super Bowl. Apparently, language diversity was too much to handle for some people. Just English was supposed to be spoken. No one can deny that English would not be one of the dominant languages of the world _but_but_but.

I find it sad that people react so strongly and negatively towards a language they cannot understand. Maybe there is a hidden feeling of rejection, being excluded, left out from the group when hearing language without being able to know the meaning. What are they saying? Are they laughing at me, at us?

Language and culture are inseparable. Culture instead forms a great part of our identity. That may be why some feel personally attacked, or even violated before an unknown language. Diversity should not be treated as a threat but a possibility. A chance to learn, experience and live.

Life is about discovering.

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