Language Dominance and Minorities’ Languages Essay

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Though currently overlooked, the issue of language rights of minorities deserves to be on the agenda of the contemporary society because of its complexity and the deplorable outcomes that the further dismissal thereof will entail. Contributing to the creation of a hostile environment in the modern multicultural environment, the concept of language domination leads to the inevitable marginalization of the rights of minority groups. As a result, the foundation for discrimination is created, furthering the development of social injustice and, therefore, disrupting multicultural relationships. Implying that not only linguistic but also social bonds should be created between the representative of the dominant language and that one of the minorities, the idea of cooperation, enhancement of the cross-cultural communication, and the active promotion of cooperation must be deemed as the tools for improving the status of minorities’ languages and, therefore, providing the foundation for successful cross-cultural communication.

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A range of studies indicates that the failure to recognize the language-related needs of minorities leads to significant social tensions. The papers that have been read during this course have shed a lot of light on the issue of meeting the linguistic needs of language minorities. Particularly, the readings showed that the failure to recognize the identified needs is likely to lead to the target groups being socially ostracized and, therefore, experiencing significant distress.

Furthermore, the readings have indicated that some of the languages are not only dismissed as insignificant but also often forgotten by everyone outside of the small group of people that use it. The specified phenomenon can be observed among the groups that use sign language. Because of comparatively limited areas where I am utilized, the language is often disregarded and even forgotten by the society, thus, leading to the groups that use it (e.g., deaf people) experiencing even greater social isolation than the one to which they are exposed due to their health issues or other characteristics.

Therefore, the readings covered during the course point to the necessity to address the inequality that is produced by the phenomenon of language dominance. It is crucial to raise awareness among all members of modern society so that the further stifling of minority languages could be stopped. The identified issue is especially topical for the areas where minorities are exposed to the excessive amount of the dominant culture. For instance, the issue with the Australian aboriginal residents shows that there is a necessity to introduce the tools for restricting the impact of the dominant language so that the one that has been under its influence could evolve successfully.

Because of the threats associated with the dominance of one language over another, including the disruption of the cross-cultural communication process, the infringement of the rights of language minorities, and the possible threat of acculturation leading to the ultimate demise of the minority culture, it is imperative to reconsider the current approach toward enhancing the acquisition and use of dominant languages. Furthermore, it is crucial to enhance the cultural awareness of the languages that are used by minority groups, therefore, creating the environment in which the cross-cultural communication could be carried out comfortably and efficiently. Thus, the needs of the people that use minority languages, as well as the ones that are spoken by a specific group (e.g., the sign language) must be recognized and met respectively.

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IvyPanda. (2020, October 13). Language Dominance and Minorities' Languages. https://ivypanda.com/essays/language-dominance-and-minorities-languages/

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IvyPanda. (2020) 'Language Dominance and Minorities' Languages'. 13 October.

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IvyPanda. 2020. "Language Dominance and Minorities' Languages." October 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/language-dominance-and-minorities-languages/.

1. IvyPanda. "Language Dominance and Minorities' Languages." October 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/language-dominance-and-minorities-languages/.


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IvyPanda. "Language Dominance and Minorities' Languages." October 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/language-dominance-and-minorities-languages/.

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