Language Extinction

[summercomfort]

I just read an article about the possibility of language extinction. Supposedly, 50% of the world's languages are moribund (not learned by children), and 90% will be extinct in this century. The article urged linguists to make efforts to document moribund languages, citing the numerous agencies available to save endangered species (which is max, 10%)

My first reaction was, "So?" Extinction of species destablizes the entire food web/, which would affect the physical aspects of the world that we live in. But extinction of languages? Why stand in the way of globalization? Granted, language is an important link to culture and human achievement, but if the language speakers themselves realize this important, then they would make efforts to teach their children. They want to build up nationalism, to belong to a larger group. Why fragment the countries even more by emphasizing tribal identity? And what's wrong w/ globally-minded and globally-taught people?

And yes, I'm being evil/callous/confrontational on purpose. (All the globalization of GW rushing to my head) opinions?

Comments

[anonym0usie.livejournal.com]

Personally I think it's tragic that languages are dying out. :( I hope Korean never dies out. Or French. Or English. Or Spanish. Or Norrwegian. Or Japanese. Or Cantonese. Or Mandarin. Or Portuguese. Heck, I think German can die tho. :P

[summercomfort]

all those that you named are major languages. There's 600+ "safe" languages in the world. Of course I'd be sad if Chinese died out, but I don't think it will until globalization reaches a point when the Chinese stop thinking themselves as Chinese, and have completely assimilated into a "global culture". The languages that they're talking about are things like several Eskimo or Aboriginal languages that are now spoken by 2 90 year old people, and aren't learned by children b/c they identify themselves as Eskimos and no longer as a separate tribe.

[anonym0usie.livejournal.com]

Hmm well I'd rather have the Inuit or Eskimos or whatever keep thier languages. As well as the Aboriginals. We're losing too much of those cultures as it is. Such cool cultures they are. As for the concept of globalization, I can't say that I'm for it since I find the intricate differences between cultures to be very beautiful. Of course, I do think that China's concept that it is "the center of the world" impedes it from progress to becoming the global leader that it could, but it's also an integral part of the Chinese national character. Of course, change does happen and this may change, but I do hope the countries will stay separate. ^^

Languages

[cowofthemoon.livejournal.com]

Nothing's wrong with Globalization. The problem is, each of those languages is unique, and beautiful. They could give us information about other languages.

I mean... The food web is important, but there are food webs near human dwellings places. Rats, Squirrels and birds, and cats form a food web around here... There are still trees in the city. My point is that there are other reasons to save the wilderness than the food web. Just because something doesn't directly affect our survival (like languages) doesn't mean they're useless.

I think one of the big arguments for saving other species is aesthetic and scientific. Places like Yosemite and The Rainforests are beautiful partly because they are different and wild.

The same is true of languages... sort of. Though I guess languages are less beautiful than a piece of wilderness. At least to me.

Besides, what if children of those people decide later in life that they want to learn about their heritage. Or scientists who want to find language roots to understand historical population movements.

I dunno... it just seems like a waste. We could save these things that have taken so long to build up, it seems a pity to let them die.