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Why it is important to save a dying language

Culture and language are deeply interwoven. Societies are created and maintained by a common language. Language reflects both the beliefs and the culture of a society. When a culture dies out its language frequently goes with it. Many believe that by saving or reconstructing the language a culture can be saved. Conversely, they believe it is the destruction of cultural identity that leads to a language dying out.

For example, with the destruction of the Jewish First Temple in the Land of Israel in the 8th century B.C. the great Jewish Diaspora began. Entire communities were destroyed, and Jews scattered across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of northern Africa. Accompanying the destruction of their homeland was the loss of their language. With their society thrown asunder their native language of Hebrew died out. Without a language to bond them, it took a great tragedy for the Jewish community to reunite. When the Jews returned to their homeland Hebrew as a language for communication between people was resurrected, and has played a role in drawing many Jews to Israel to rediscover their cultural identity.

While academicians may believe that anything esoteric should be saved, sociologists believe that saving dying languages is an important part of saving, restoring and understanding other cultures. One of the most famous examples of the importance of reconstructing a dead language is the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. By providing anthropologists with the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, they were able to translate much of the writings that had already been discovered, allowing them to understand much of the lives and the practices of the ancient Egyptians.

Language is used to indoctrinate culture into foreigners. It is a widely held belief in the United States that anyone who wishes to be a United States citizen must speak English. This is not only for ease of communication, but also for guiding them into abandoning their own cultural practices. Language is powerful, and the loss of a language can mean the loss of a culture, its history and its wisdom.

With advances in transportation and technology and the ensuing global economy, some wonder if we all might one day speak the same language. English is currently the most commonly used language for communication between foreign language speakers. Can you imagine a world where every language is dead except English?

Already many cultures are being transformed by what they see on television, finding much about the United States to envy. As countries "develop" they become increasingly western, losing much of their own traditions and values. As they reach for what they see on television, magazines and stores that carry American imports, they also yearn to speak English. They spontaneously understand that if they wish to be part of the culture of America they must speak the language.

As long as we value cultural diversity we cannot allow languages to die. To do so is to kill off other cultures as surely as if we physically destroyed their citizens.

Learn more about this author, Frances Simon.
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