Register Log In Wordsmith Talk Forums General Topics Weekly Themes Language is culture Search Advanced Forum Search Forums Calendar Active Threads

Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Language is culture #20383 02/27/2001 4:56 AM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 2 gulgre stranger gulgre stranger Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 2 I am currently studying 8 seperate languages, and the one thing I've noticed is that some languages can express an idea SO much better than another one. While that does not say that one language is better than another, it does serve to show the opposite. Every language has its advantages. Some languages have a beautiful sound (most romance languages), some have a very poetic translation (most languages of the Orient), and others just have an INTERESTING collection of sounds (the clicks and pops of some African tribes). To throw those out because of "industrialization" and constant technological growth is to say goodbye to the creative and wonderful part of this world. Those who speak English RARELY turn to learn another language; that is to say, they feel that English is the only language of great importance. Imagine if everyone spoke English eventually. There would be no one with a DESIRE to learn a new language, and possibly (POSSIBLY, I emote) that could extend to the retarding of ANY creative productivity. Do we want an entire world of people arrogant and unaccepting of new ways? A new language system is one of the GREATEST ways to increase your vocabulary, mental perception, memory and logic process. I have no proof but I can't help but imagine that creativity of many inventions came from someone who knew an extra languages or two. If that IS the case, and someone wants to back me up (or even prove me wrong), I'd appreciate it. Think how much could NOT be created because we no longer have as useful a tool to increase our creativity. My main argument is that language is culture. Were it not for various languages' characteristics -- phonetics and such -- the world would not be SEASONED. So I say "No" to a unified language. I think it will never naturally work. Look how far Esperanto got! And if we DID achieve a global language, I would definitely vote against English. Why, you ask? Well, my answer is simple. I dig Korean. Daniel Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Music is Culture #20384 02/28/2001 9:21 PM Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 2,661 Chicago musick Carpal Tunnel musick Carpal Tunnel Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 2,661 Chicago Welcome "gulgre", if you haven't been already. I think you'll find (and I'm sure to be corrected) that the majority of the members here would not suggest "throwing out" any language, and as you suggest, revel in the many differences, appreciate their growth, and would be saddened if technology becomes more of a "cultural" presence than language, and succeeds in eliminating even one. If you accept that language is culture, then the English's being quite a collection of different grammars, spellings, pronunciations may be argued as already being the natural global language, unintentionally. Who would be arrogant enough and why would anyone listen to someone suggesting a vote on this subject anyway? Is someone? Besides, there already is a global "language", it's called music... with which there is no better language to describe. There are plenty of philosophical arguments against "Language is culture", my favourite is "A culture of one is as valuable as a culture of a billion"... throwing the chaos of subjectivity into a recipe that is trying hard to avoid this ingredient. Do I lose my culture if I decide to only communicate with musical notes from this point forward..? On the contrary, you'd lose yours in my "eyes" (as most people don't hear music as I do (that's polly a good thing). You clearly understand language better than I do, and it does indeed (as would be expected) make sense for someone with my "culture"(assuming I have any) to argue that "Music is Culture", however, I don't believe that either.... Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Music is Culture #20385 02/28/2001 11:54 PM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 116 Jerusalem, ISRAEL Shoshannah member Shoshannah member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 116 Jerusalem, ISRAEL Hey musick - I happen to agree with you - as a singer, I have found that, even though I have trouble speaking the language I may need (depending on where I am at any given moment), I can always learn something to sing and thereby am basically accepted and introduced to other elements of the culture around me quite easily! I also find that I can become part of the expat culture more easily if I have something, like my musical ability, to offer... and helps me to meet a wider range of people and make more friends! As well, being a tour guide (and guiding only in English), I find it's very effective to sing some special songs for the tourists in both Hebrew & English - makes them feel a part of the local culture as well as brings their own 'culture' into the tour! suzanne pomeranz, tourism consultant jerusalem, israel - suztours@gmail.com Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Language is culture #20386 03/01/2001 12:00 AM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 116 Jerusalem, ISRAEL Shoshannah member Shoshannah member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 116 Jerusalem, ISRAEL gulgre - a simple question for you: exactly WHY are you studying 8 languages and exactly which ones? BTW - one of my favorite languages is Swahili! suzanne pomeranz, tourism consultant jerusalem, israel - suztours@gmail.com Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Language is culture #20387 03/09/2001 12:58 AM Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 68 jimthedogII journeyman jimthedogII journeyman Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 68 Well, I'm studying 9 languages. -Scott Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Language is culture #20388 03/09/2001 10:38 AM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 387 Hartsville, New York. jimthedog enthusiast jimthedog enthusiast Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 387 Hartsville, New York. Well, what languages are you learning, jimthedogII? jimthedog Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Language is culture #20389 03/10/2001 6:07 PM Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 3,439 New England, USA wow Carpal Tunnel wow Carpal Tunnel Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 3,439 New England, USA Stop yapping at each other, naughty pups, and answer the questions. Which? and Why? wow Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Language is culture #20390 03/10/2001 6:39 PM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 116 Jerusalem, ISRAEL Shoshannah member Shoshannah member Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 116 Jerusalem, ISRAEL And teenage slang does NOT count in this case, nor do animal languages... get it boys? Anyway - the question was originally directed at gulgre who said he was "studying 8 languages" and I really would like to know which ones and does this include computer languages???? Shoshannah suzanne pomeranz, tourism consultant jerusalem, israel - suztours@gmail.com Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Language is culture #20391 03/10/2001 9:27 PM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 387 Hartsville, New York. jimthedog enthusiast jimthedog enthusiast Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 387 Hartsville, New York. I am learning Spanish. JimthedogII is not learning any language beyond picking up a few words here and there. jimthedog Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. (have been... ------  Words from medicine  Beheading words  Meta-words  Words from classical mythology  Animal Safari  Words with unusual etymologies  Eponyms or words derived from p...  Loanwords from German  English as a global language Print Thread Switch to Threaded Mode Show Likes Link Copied to Clipboard View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Website Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary

Default Style BlackNTan Drab eBay GooG v2 infopop new dark new light original dark original stock rounded corners Slate snow sunny dropshadow theblues Touch Of Grey UBB.threads UBB.threads - Dark UBB.threads - Light UBBCentral UBBCentral - Crimson UBBCentral - Lime UBBCentral - Marshmallow UBBCentral - Mocha UBBCentral - Zen UBBT77 UBBT77 - Dark ubbthreads ubbthreads-dark Forum Rules · Mark All Read Contact Us · Forum Help · Wordsmith Talk