Introduction
Human communication is driven by language and this fact alone would make the acquisition of as many languages as possible a positive endeavor. It is then surprised to learn that the world’s languages are on a serious decline and that many known languages could soon be extinct. The world today is headed towards domination by a few languages which have gained dominance based on their commercial value. Yet, despite the not too apparent value of some languages, all human languages need to be preserved because they all contribute to the well-being of the world.
Perhaps the worst news for anybody who appreciates the importance of all languages is the continuing demise of many languages. Ostler notes the terrible state human languages are in by observing that by the year 2050 about “half of the world’s 6,000 languages will be dead or dying”. (6). The death of languages is blamed on many factors but the prime reason for our world today is the rise to prominence of a few languages which seem to serve all purposes. Languages that do not have immediate uses become less and less used and eventually die.
Analysis
The importance of some languages cannot be immediately appreciated. In fact, there are those who feel that the domination by a few languages is a good thing because it allows more people to communicate much more easily than would have been the case if people spoke in different tongues. Today, it seems prudent to learn English because it is the language that will assist in most countries. While the importance of easy communication cannot be downplayed, the death of the other languages should be a reason for real concern.
The importance of all languages is perhaps best exemplified by Stephen Wurm, who gives the example of a cure for ulcers in Australia that was only unlocked by knowledge of a traditional language. A serious ailment that western medicine had failed to cure was solved by the knowledge contained in the Aboriginal languages (Oslter 6).
Further proof of the importance of all languages is provided by Michael Krauss, who notes that a language is not “simply a different set of words for the same things”. (Oslter 6).On the contrary, a language is carrier of much knowledge and culture. The disappearance of any language should therefore be a reason for concern for everybody who appreciates cultural diversity.
Conclusion
A language thrives easily when it is used in communication. It also dies as easily when it is not used in communication. The only way to keep the world’s languages alive then is to use them as much as possible. Once a language dies, resuscitating it can be both laborious and expensive. Some dead languages have been resuscitated at great expense. Literature review gives the example of Cornish and Hebrew which were languages which enjoyed widespread use in the past but which eventually died. The work that has been done to revive these languages has been long and expensive. In appreciation of the importance of all languages and the difficulty the world will go through trying to revive extinct languages, it would be a great idea to learn as many languages as possible.
Works cited
Ostler, Rosemarie. “Disappearing Languages of The 6, 000 Languages Still on Earth 90 Percent could be gone by 2100”.bnet.com. Whole Earth. 2000. Web.