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China the Beautiful
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Guest
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 Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Will English become universal language? |
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From this website (ZhongHuaRising), I learned that by 2010, it is estimated that 100 million foreigners will learn to speak Chinese. Meanwhile, I know that in cities in China, most of the schools start teaching English from 1st grade.
Some people believe that since the income level in some English speaking countries is higher, English will become the universal language for business convenience and replace other languages.
As a bilingual (Chinese and English), I do not want to see any language disappear. Do you know what reasons that a language exists?
Last edited by Guest on Sat Sep 30, 2006 4:53 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Aolung
Joined: 10 Jul 2002
Posts: 1037
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:07 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Do readers know what reasons that a language exists? |
It's using & and teaching it!
(Preventing people - e.g. by force! - from speaking a language and lack of teaching it makes them disappear, as has happened with many Native-American tongues now extinct or dying...)
Alfred
Last edited by Aolung on Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Guest
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| Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Alfred,
Thank you for your answer. It is inspiring.
I have been wondering why Hong Kong people speak Chinese even after 100 years of being a colony of Great Britain. (Macao people speak Chinese but not Portuguese; Taiwanese speak Chinese rather than Japanese.) While India, also colonized under Britain, use English as official language. I don't know if Indians were forced to learn English or not.
Your comment "many Native-American tongues now extinct or dying" also made me wonder why Native American parents don't teach their kids their own tongues. Also shouldn't schools teach both Native-American tongues and English so that the native tongue can be reserved?
I tend to think that a language is not only a tool of communication, but also a carrier of history, tradition and culture. But since I am not a linguist, I am not confident about this thought.
I posted my question here because I highly respect Professor Pei - his knowledge of Chinese culture, history, literature, and his dedication. I am also impressed by many sensible commenters, like you. 
Thank you again,
yc |
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Aolung
Joined: 10 Jul 2002
Posts: 1037
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:41 am Post subject: |
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yc,
| Quote: | | Your comment "many Native-American tongues now extinct or dying" also made me wonder why Native American parents don't teach their kids their own tongues. Also shouldn't schools teach both Native-American tongues and English so that the native tongue can be reserved? |
I think that there are quite different reasons for why people(s) neglect/drop their own language (carelessness, inattentiveness - of parents, mental/intellectual immobility, opportunism, suppression...).
In the above regard, I'd advice to go deeper into American history, just back one or two centuries (or even less): read about the US-American boarding school system (with Native children having washed their mouths out with soap as a punishment for uttering one single word in their native tongues, etc. etc.). Read about those First Peoples' parents, humiliated - and not seldom also regarded low by their own 'educated' offspring - refraining from teaching their language to their children. Only in recent decades was it that efforts are made to stop this situation and with every year passing it is getting harder to be successful in saving what's still left because elders still fluent (semifluent etc.) are getting older and will pass - like so many no longer with us. Maybe read this recent article I was sent providing you a faint impression of what's the situation with e.g. Dakotan language (other tongues like Omaha-Ponca etc. etc. are not in a similar 'lucky' situation):
| Quote: | Lakota spiritual leader, language teacher dies
By Heidi Bell Gease, Journal Staff Writer
KYLE -- A respected spiritual leader who taught the Lakota language
to hundreds of students on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has
died.
John Around Him, 64, died at his home near Kyle Wednesday night
after a battle with bone cancer. A relative said his cancer was
diagnosed when doctors ran tests related to pre-existing heart
problems.
"I think he was one of the most respected spiritual leaders on the
reservation," said Oglala Lakota College president Tom Short Bull.
Around Him has taught Lakota language at the college for three years.
"We as Lakota people do not do enough to recognize and give
appreciation to people who are contemporary heroes to us," Short
Bull said. "And that's what I see John as being, one of the heroes
of this reservation."
Around Him was honored last month when Gov. Mike Rounds declared
Aug. 28 as "John Around Him Day" in South Dakota.
Around Him, who spoke Lakota as his first language, had a long
relationship with Little Wound School in Kyle, where he worked as a
bus driver and served on a Parent Advisory Committee before
beginning his work as a language teacher.
Matilda Montileaux, a second-grade teacher and language teacher who
worked closely with Around Him, said he taught elementary, middle
school and high school students over the years. He gave opening
prayers at school functions, announced for powwows and helped start
a youth drum group, Eagle Mountain Drum Group.
"They were young boys then, and now they basically have families of
their own," Montileaux said. "And they're still singing."
Around Him did extensive work with Indian inmates in South Dakota
prisons, trying to help them maintain their connection to culture
and heritage. He offered pipe and sweat-lodge ceremonies to Indian
inmates, who make up 24 percent of the state's prison population,
according to state officials. Around Him also did cultural awareness
training for prison staff.
Short Bull said Around Him also worked with at-risk youth.
"He helped so many young people who were having difficult times,
going through the Lakota traditional ceremonies to help straighten
their lives out," he said.
"He was a very good counselor," added Montileaux, who is also
Around Him's niece. "I don't know if he knew that he had those
abilities."
Around Him also held sundances for years in honor of his father and
wife.
Those who knew him say his passing is a big loss for Lakota people.
"In terms of him being here physically, it's a major loss,"
Montileaux said. "But I think what he has taught us, we should be
able to use to carry on. Basically it's up to us to carry on the
teachings. Not just about the language, but about life in general."
Short Bull said Around Him had stepped up to fill a void when
longtime Lakota language instructor Calvin Jumping Bull died last
year. Jumping Bull had given songs and prayers at OLC graduations
for years.
"Now the issue is who is going to come and fill the void that John
has left," Short Bull said. "Hopefully someone will step forward,
but we're really losing a lot of really good people on this
reservation."
Around Him was honored by South Dakota officials last month for his
work with state prison inmates. At the time, he said he didn't know
when he would be called home, "but I want you to continue on with
my work.
"The students, they all need to learn," Around Him told
listeners. "They will carry on, they will learn the words and the
songs."
Around Him, a Vietnam veteran, was active in the American Legion. |
| yc wrote: | | I tend to think that a language is not only a tool of communication, but also a carrier of history, tradition and culture. But since I am not a linguist, I am not confident about this thought. |
I totally share your view.
Alfred |
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Guest
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| Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you Alfred. The story you quoted is very touchy.
In the discussion about South Korea changed its capital name, Professor Pei said:
| Quote: | | ...但是我们回顾一下历史，在中华民族辉煌强大时期的汉朝和唐朝中华文明是受到周边国家的何等推崇，影响力是何等的广泛。那时的高丽国和日本更是以学习中华文明为荣。这也说明了国家强则文明强，国家弱则文明衰。就像如今世界蜂拥像美国看齐，学习英语，研习美式文化和文明一样。... |
Thus whether English will become an universal language depends on the GDP of English speaking countries? |
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