What is lost when a language dies? (fwd link)

[Aidan Wilson]

Interesting article, pity about a couple of the comments:

    For some people, language is an art, and from that perspective, I
    can understand the concerns in it dying away.

    For me, though, language is merely a tool for communication with
    others. I don't think in words, therefore my identity has nothing to
    do with the language that I am speaking. I think in pictures and
    concepts - which will always require translation when being spoken.

    As the article questions: how would I feel if I were told that I
    can't use my language? Having to learn another language would be a
    bit tedious, but I would not feel as though I am losing anything,
    except for the time I invested in learning my first language. But I
    would want that loss to be for a valid reason, such as: my language
    is not being used anymore or a goal of worldwide unity (as both
    previous commentators mentioned).

This is a particularly utilitarian point of view, time lost learning a 
dead language, 'mere tool of communication', etc., but this one really 
struck me:

    Not being able to talk to each other is a curse, remember? I am
    interested in unity, not diversity, I could care less about anyones
    culture, I am interested in their welfare. The two are very distinct
    and have little to do with each other. Don't get sucked into this
    frame of thinking, it benefits little.

People seem to forget that multilingualism up until very recently had 
been the international norm.

Gaa!

-Aidan Wilson


On 17/02/08 05:57, phil cash cash said:
> February 15, 2008
> Probing Question: What is lost when a language dies?
> http://www.physorg.com/news122308785.html
>