I don’t view language as a cultural heritage thing, just a communication protocol.
Well, you’re wrong.
Comment on How AI and Wikipedia have sent vulnerable languages into a doom spiral
Bloefz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Does it really matter? I think the extreme amount of languages in the world right now is not helping us communicate. I don’t view language as a cultural heritage thing, just a communication protocol. And I have moved around a lot in the world, it’s very difficult to be constantly adapting to different languages.
I think if we had a universal language (note that it wouldn’t have to be English) we would be able to understand each other better and have less wars.
theoriginalcows@lemmings.world 3 weeks ago
TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Languages have their own quirks and characters, representative of what the people’s cultural values and express ideas not even present in other cultures. As many languages have to be preserved as possible.
SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
I don’t view language as a cultural heritage thing, just a communication protocol.
Spoken like an English speaker. Language is absolutely political, a product of its specific environment, and there is a lot that can be communicated in one language that would be difficult in another. Erasing languages isn’t like no longer manufacturing a specific style of plug, instead it silences viewpoints and enforces the cultural hegemony of the dominant group.
There’s a reason fascists are fond of erasing the languages of the marginalized.
Bloefz@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Like I said I don’t advocate erasing languages. Just to have a common international language whichever it is. Local languages can still play a big role in cultural matters (eg literature and life on the street)
zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Esperanto still exists and there is a worldwide community of speakers.
Bloefz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Oh yes I know but as a common universal language it really has failed. It never became more than a fringe thing (sorry).
zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
It is the most popular one. If somebody wanted to start a competitor, they’d have a hard time.
RightEdofer@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
This is the worst take I’ve ever seen.
Bloefz@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yeah I’m just not really wed to any language. I guess it is also because I have moved around so much. I’m from Holland but I don’t consider myself a Dutch person, more like a citizen of the world. I’ve become too different to fit in in my home country (also because it’s become an extreme-right cesspool lately 😢 ). I’ve spent about half my life elsewhere. And the places I’ve lived where I spoke the languages I fared noticeably better.
But I know a lot of people do view language as a cultural thing, it’s just my point of view.