Endangered languages

[R Senghas]

Interesting piece.  Thanks for sending it our way.  However, I didn't  
see it as a clear expression that it doesn't matter if diversity  
disappears.  It seemed to me that Michaels was implying that diversity  
would probably still occur, but that there will inevitably be language  
shift and change, and that it's silly to wring our hands over the  
problem (or waste resources, I assume), whether from a chauvinistic  
position of any particular language (in this case English), or from one  
that wishes to preserve or encourage any and all languages.

I do notice, however, that in nearly all language diversity  
conversations, including this one, little is mentioned about  
recognition of newly-forming languages (i.e., creoles).  I also notice  
that little seems to be mentioned about languages becoming stable in  
adult-only populations.  Many languages have, for generations, been  
learned by adolescents or adults, and spoken only by adults.  These  
languages often serve ritual functions, but may also simply be products  
(and mediums) of adult institutions.

One thing I was glad to see was that Michaels DIDN'T actually say, at  
least in this particular piece, that these languages (and their  
accompanying sociocultural phenomena) shouldn't be be *studied.*  Now  
that would be something I would definitely have to argue against!  I  
hope his conclusions leave room for those who, in effect, adopt  
multiple languages as "our language" [note his use of the singular],  
whether as languages for daily use or languages for the study of human  
variation and possibility.

-Richard

On 4 Oct 2006, , at 9:47 AM, Susan Ervin-Tripp wrote:

> A surprising article expressing the plain man's view that it doesn't
> matter if linguistic diversity in the world disappears:
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/magazine/01wwln_essay.html
>
> Susan Ervin-Tripp
> --  
>
>
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