On a Specific Dimension of Language - Essay Example

Essay on a Specific Dimension of Language Introduction In almost every corner of the globe, a different language is spoken. Even a language which has one common label is spoken differently by different people. In some parts of the globe, some of these languages are slowly disappearing and slowly being blended in with the universal language, English. This paper shall consider the application of different languages in society today. And it shall assess how the story of the Tower of Babel applies to the question of English and other languages today. Discussion The story of the Tower of Babel narrates that in the beginning of time, the people of the world spoke only one language. While travelling to the East, they settled in Babylon and there they built a tower where they wanted to make a name for themselves. The people of the world also planned for the tower to be a place where they could settle in order for them not to be scattered all over the world. God came down to earth and did not approve of their plans because man meant to do whatever he wanted to do after building the tower. God then scattered them all over the world and let them speak different tongues. This story bears familiarity in the present context because the people of the world speak in different tongues. People’s relationship with each other as citizens of the world is largely based on a common language. The geographical barriers are easier to cross than the language barriers because they prevent communication and they basically prevent understanding and comprehension among different peoples. The story of Babel certainly has a crucial application to the question of English and other languages today. People’s ability to communicate with each other is hampered by this language barrier. And the very roots of this language barrier are recognized by many authors and experts in the story of Babel. “People still call a bedlam of tongues a Babel, and some have used the term Babelinization for the mixing of their own cherished language with other tongues...” (MacArthur, 1998, p. 2). People’s ability to form united and coherent goals is difficult because on the most basic level, they cannot even understand each other as humans. As the people of the world sought to achieve their own goals, they congregated with each other based on their common languages. This congregation managed to create regional unity based on their common understanding of each other. From this, people established a common identity and common goals. The disadvantage is that, many of these goals actually clashed with the goals of other regional groups. As a result, the distinct languages of the people separated them from each other giving them little motivation to aim for better relationships with each other. In the current age of globalization, many nations and regional groupings with different languages are gravitating towards more universal languages. And many of them are starting to adapt English in order to be more globally competitive. In the process however, many of the local languages and dialects are slowly disappearing (Garland, 2006). The world and the people of the world are no longer as separate or as disconnected with each other. They are now starting to find more common grounds and achieve a common purpose which they can share with other people. In the process, the old and traditional languages are being discarded because they hinder globalization. Moreover, more common grounds and languages are being applied by the people in order to be more globally competitive. The Endangered Language website sets forth various discussions of how indigenous languages are being discarded by people in favour of the other major languages of the world. Many tribal leaders are struggling and campaigning for a more engaged participation by the younger generation in the local languages and the cultural practices of the indigenous people (Reyhner, 1999). Noticeably, many of the younger people are leaning towards the growing international trends of globalization. In the process, they are forsaking their indigenous practices and languages for other major languages like English, Spanish, or French. The story of the Tower of Babel points out how different languages can create a sense of confusion among the people and how important it is for people to understand other people’s language in order to achieve effective communication and good relations with other nations (Barnhart, 2003). The regional differences still exists in almost all corners of the globe when we consider the accents and the colloquialisms that people have come to adopt in their own regions. And all these regional differences have prevented the sense of unity among the people. But there is a sense of recognition which is attached to each language and this allows people to label and identify themselves amidst the seeming confusion. For example, “a person in New York can instantly recognize and Texan when speaking” (Barhnhart, 2003). This concept works in reverse as well. The English language is also spoken in different accents and carries different meanings depending on where it is spoken. For example, the English in Scotland is spoken in a different accent in London and in Dublin. The same is true with the English language in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the United States in general. The slang and expressions are also different for each country; words which are spelt and even pronounced the same may mean different things for different people depending on their country or their region (Barnhart, 2003). As the world and the people of the world are now more open to exploring common goals with their neighbouring and distant fellowmen, the story of the Tower of Babel bears a greater significance as a story and a trend. The trend is slowly being reversed; however, undeniably, there is a danger of the lost identity of unique people with the entry of more common goals and common languages ((Reyhner, 1995). Experts and other authors point out that “spoken words become of importance when nations want to connect with each other and build relationships. It translates the hearts and minds of a society and not just through words alone, as the computer does” (Barnhart, 2003). When such unique qualities are discarded for more common goals, the sense of tradition and connectedness is also lost. In today’s common and global language, people may shout and speak a common language, but the words may still remain meaningless. And that tower is seemingly being built again in order to keep mankind together as a people (Barnhart, 2003). But that sense of unity can only bring about the superiority of man over the other – of wanting to have all things the same and alike. Instead of advocating for a common language, there would be a greater and more diverse approach when people take the time to learn about other people’s language and culture. “Confusion ceases when understanding happens” (Barnhart, 2003). Conclusion The story of Babel applied to the current state of our English language emphasizes that English is fast gaining strength as a universal language because of globalization. Just as people were divided and were given different languages, they also lost a sense of unity as a people. People were scattered about and separated from each other. Just as their language was not common, their goals too were not shared. And as the borders have seemingly been stripped, people are reverting to that united front under the Towel of Babel. But the people have not seen the total relevance of the bigger picture – that of losing our identity as unique people through the loss of the unique languages. It is still possible to attain unity, and people can achieve it when they start listening to each other, when they start learning from each other, and when they start recognizing the individuality of their diverse language. Works Cited Barnhart, S. (2003) The Tower of Babel and Its Lessons. Lew Rockwell. Retrieved 29 March 2010 from http://www.lewrockwell.com/barnhart/barnhart7.html Garland, E. (2006) Can Minority Languages Be Saved? Globalization vs. Culture. Omniglot. Retrieved 29 March 2010 from http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/minority_languages.php MacArthur, T. (1998) The English languages. New York: Cambridge University Press Rehyner, J. (1999) Some Basics of Indigenous Language Revitalization. Endangered Languages. Retrieved 29 March 2010 from http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/RIL_Intro.html ______( 1995) Maintaining and Renewing Native Languages. Endangered Languages. Retrieved 29 March 2010 from http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/Main.html Read More