Why should we preserve endangered languages?

Language is a fundamental pillar when it comes to cultural knowledge transmission, communication, cultural identity and innovation. It is what separates humanity from animals. The languages that are going extinct are crucial parts of their communities’ identities, which enrich our world’s diverse community. The preservation of world language is essential to preserving global culture as it is a fundamental building block when it comes to passing down cultural knowledge and history.

 

Global culture and how it is spread rely heavily on language. Take Doc. 1 (“A world of languages”/South China Morning Post), for example: languages are not only spoken in one country or city, but can be what ties a whole region together. Arabic is spoken in African and Middle Eastern countries, and Spanish is spoken in North American, South American and European places. Language not only fosters identity, but increases community cohesion. “Steeped in history and heritage, it’s a pillar of culture that built ancient empires, immortalized sacred religious texts, and stockpiled centuries of natural and medicinal wisdom,” from Doc. 3 (“Endangered Languages Are Worth Saving”/The New York Times) further strengthens the idea that language promotes understanding and tolerance in how we are culturally interconnected.

 

Language reinforces cultural identity for different communities. The quote in Doc. 2.1 (“1,500 endangered languages could disappear by the end of the century”/World Economic Forum), “When a language is lost or is ‘sleeping,’ as we say for languages that are no longer spoken, we lose so much of our human cultural diversity,” proves language is a big part of preserving cultural diversity and identity. Another quote in Doc. 2.1 states, “It’s as if (roads interconnecting communities and cities to villages and towns) are helping dominant languages ‘steam roll’ over other smaller languages.” The source explains how connection with globalized modern society and education systems further endanger the indigenous languages spoken as they are often illegalized or overshadowed by the regionally dominant languages incorporated into the education curriculum. In Doc. 3, Zoe Yu says, “Under colonial rule, learning or speaking my grandma’s native Hokkien, along with dozens of indigenous languages, was illegal by law.” Her experience supports my claim of how political involvement and intervention can lead to mother tongues no longer being spoken at home; the communities affected by this feel a sense of shame and inferiority. Mr. Clay Panga spoke about teaching his children the Maori nursery song “Oma Rapeti” and how that helps them understand more about Maori culture. Ensuring indigenous voices are heard shows their culture is respected. If extinct, a significant part of cultural heritage and history is lost.

 

How language has evolved and been used in our lives as centuries go by reflects cultural development and its inexorable ability to adapt to humanity’s constantly evolving nature. In Doc. 2.2 (“Where Languages Are Dying”/Statista), it states, “Languages evolve to reflect the environment in which they are applied, as well as the people and the cultures that are utilizing and adapting them as time passes by.” It supports my claim and proves language is key to evolutionary development. In a way, globalization and the gradual extinction of languages and cultures are an indicator of how we have changed in the last 50 years. “Contact with other languages can help preserve indigenous ones; exposure to the wider world may not.” This quote from Doc. 2.1, along with the other ones in that source means that with the constant change in the world, indigenous languages suffer from not being able to catch up with the world’s fast-paced changes.

 

In conclusion, the preservation of world language is essential to preserving global culture, as it is a fundamental building block when it comes to passing down cultural knowledge and history. Language is how myths, stories, history and traditions are passed down through generations and exchanges. Hence, it reinforces cultural identity and provides a sense of belonging and continuity. Global culture and how it is spread rely heavily on language. And how language has evolved, innovated and adapted reflects humanity’s cultural development. Language should be preserved.