ForumsWEPRThe Downfall of Languages

10 3262
sensanaty
offline
sensanaty
1,094 posts
Nomad

In 2 weeks time, 1 language will die. An entire culture dies. Everything that was in any way connected to that language, the history, the culture, the rituals, everything is lost. And that's because of the simple fact of people caring less and less about their own countries.

Whats's your opinions on this, if one person is born in a certain part of a world with certain culture, should it be forgotten, and instead the individual should concentrate on a more globalized language or culture, or should 1 person firstly learn as much as possible about their heritage before stepping into anything else?


I think it's sad that people don't care about the lands they come from. I have a friend, she's Greek. She doesn't know anything abut Greece. The worst part is, Greece is rich in many ways. It has very interesting history, the language is beautiful, and mostly everything about it is beautiful. Now, her not learning anything about it means that her children most likely won't learn anything about it. So, an entire family dies out, as well.

  • 10 Replies
Jeff1999
offline
Jeff1999
1,356 posts
Farmer

Some countries have lost even a half of all their people because of the fact that the country is very poor. And that's the situation on Latvia, every time I go out of my school I see poor people everywhere, the jobs in that country are useless, stuff are very expensive. My mom gets like 200 Ls for a month. (200Ls is the same thing as 400$) and for my school she has to pay 65Ls (130$) for a month. Good thing we live together with a famous guitarist. People live in fear that they'll get fired. My both cousins are over 18 years old and they both have been going out of Latvia. I live in Latvia so I know what's going on. It has no hope, all the ones who wanna be presidents don't want the country, they want the money, they make the wrong decisions and they think only one way. Whitch is: "When I'm gonna be a president, I'll never be fired agian and I'll finally have a good life." Those are the ones that want to be presidents and those are the thoughts of our current president. Any other questions about my country?

sensanaty
offline
sensanaty
1,094 posts
Nomad

Serbia's pretty similar. We're only saved by the fact that it's still kind of a socialist regime here, so everyone gets housing. The jobs here aren't even $400 mate, so don't worry. Common pay for a person with a very good school is 200 - 250 euros, which is around $250-$285 if I'm not mistaken. So, most people have to work double jobs, or double shifts. But at least they have a 2 month payed vacation every year.

But, that wasn't my question. I asked what do you think about the disappearance of culture around the world. Many tribes in Africa have it much worse than most of the world, but they still respect and keep their culture. As bad as a country may be at the moment, it's important to recognize and remember how each and every country started, or evolved. That is what is disappearing, along with the most basic thing of any country-language

HahiHa
offline
HahiHa
8,254 posts
Regent

I think you should not feel obliged to learn everything of your ancestors country before doing what you want. Your Greek friend, I guess she didn't grow up in Greece. Why should she have to know all things about Greece as someone who grew up there? Lineage is an interesting thing that can make you learn more about the culture of your parents or ancestors, if that's what you want to know, but it's not your culture in a direct sense. You didn't grow up there. I think in this case it's free to you whether you're interested in it or not, and it's wrong to judge them if they aren't.

Keeping up languages or cultures is a thing of the society, not the individual. Though sometimes, some very devoted individuals will prove more efficient, but you cannot enforce this. I agree that it is sad when a language or a part, or all of, a culture simply gets lost. But most people don't even know about the rich variety of languages and cultures, and it isn't just a recent phenomenon.

And no, that your Greek friend isn't interested in her roots doesn't mean that her children won't be interested to know where they come from. They simply won't learn it from her, but by themselves if they're interested.

thebluerabbit
offline
thebluerabbit
5,346 posts
Farmer

i understand you. on the other side i understand other people as well.

i personally love languages and also the basic things in every coulture.

but i can also understand that many people dont find that interesting. i dont think people should feel that they have to learn something they dont like so it wont die. its sad but in the end i think people should do what they want to.

macfan1
offline
macfan1
421 posts
Nomad

Living in America, where there is many languages, sometimes it's annoying when I can't understand someone who is speaking another language. I only speak English though. And it's quite annoying that people aren't speaking the national language.

Kasic
offline
Kasic
5,557 posts
Jester

And it's quite annoying that people aren't speaking the national language.


National Language? What might that be?

I only speak English though


Learn more languages?
EmperorPalpatine
offline
EmperorPalpatine
9,444 posts
Jester

And it's quite annoying that people aren't speaking the national language.

The US has no official national language by federal law. Some states have made English their official language, but it only means that official government documents must at least be in English, and does not mean that they should be exclusively available only in English.
dair5
offline
dair5
3,379 posts
Shepherd

I don't think people should be expected to continue their family's languages. I've often been insulted for not being able to speak spanish. I used to be able to speak spanish as a child, but over time I lost my spanish as I learned english. I don't think it's fair that I get mocked for not knowing spanish and I wouldn't do it to anyone else either. I dunno, I guess I just don't think the child should be held responsible for carrying their families culture into a different country. Each country has it's own culture, that are unique and special. We can't keep the culture of every country are family settles down in. Imagine someone who has a Chinese mom, an Irish dad, and was born in America. Too much to retain.

Salvidian
offline
Salvidian
4,170 posts
Farmer

In the US English and Spanish are the 2 most popular languages. I'm currently in year 3 of a 4 year Spanish lesson. I, obviously, can already speak fluent English. As for Spanish, I'm becoming much more fluent and can speak a good part of the language. I recommend anyone living in the US to learn at least the fundamentals because it is quickly increasing popularity.

National Language? What might that be?

The US has no official national language by federal law.

English is certainly the most popular language, with Spanish nearing a very close second. In the 3rd rank, in my opinion, would be a division of French and German. In high schools across the country, Spanish, French, and German are taught the very most. Spanish because of America's closeness with central America, and French because many Canadians speak the language. I assume German because many people have a German heritage for some reason, why I'm not quite sure.

And it's quite annoying that people aren't speaking the national language.


Don't be naive about the US's the most popular languages. English speakers might not always be the majority.
slipsoccer
offline
slipsoccer
1,081 posts
Peasant

Wasn't it predicted that in the future there would only be like 6 languages left in the world? I heard this from my History teacher back in my freshmen year.

I don't think it's fair that I get mocked for not knowing spanish and I wouldn't do it to anyone else either.

I understand your pain. That same thing happened to me, but it's not that hard to learn Spanish again if you come from a Spanish speaking background.
Showing 1-10 of 10