SPEAKING WITH MANY VOICES
We need to conserve our many languages, argues Egor Chernyshov (Year 12), as well as letting them develop in innovative ways
L anguages are not merely tools for communication; they are repositories of history, culture, identity and knowledge. The conservation of languages at risk
mathematical reasoning. Moreover, sometimes languages are carriers of ecological knowledge integrated into them over time, especially when it comes to indigenous lan-
guages that have developed in close connection with their natural environments. This knowledge can be invalu- able for sustainable living and conservation efforts. Preserving languages helps to safeguard this ecological wisdom that has been accu- mulated over generations, wisdom which perhaps has
of dying out is a critical endeavour in the modern world, where globalization and the ongoing spread of dominant languages threaten the existence of
Languages are carriers of ecological knowledge, especially when it comes to indigenous languages that have developed in close connection with their natural environments
many indigenous languages. Equally, the natural tenden- cy of languages to change and evolve is both inevitable and fascinating, and we might see this as reflective of the adaptability and resil- ience of human societies in the face of change. The conservation of languages is vital for several reasons. Firstly, languages are an integral part of the cultural iden- tity of their speakers. They carry the stories, traditions, beliefs and values of a whole community. Losing a lan- guage means losing a part of humanity’s diverse cultural heritage; it means losing the history of a group of people – a history which could be crucial to our understanding of the present. Secondly, languages can allow for enhanced under- standing of human cognition, and of the diversity of ways of perceiving the world. Each language offers unique insights into human thought processes and conceptual frameworks, contributing to the broader understanding of the human mind and psychological study. For in- stance, different sentence structures allow for different ways of relaying information. Discovering new such struc- tures can greatly aid both the linguistic field and that of
not yet been discovered by science. Finally, being bilin- gual brings great benefits, facilitating brain functionality and linguistic aptitude. Conserving indigenous languages across the world, while keeping dominant languages glo- balised, would see a rise in the number of people grow- ing up bilingual, and thus a rise in the cognitive abilities of a notable chunk of society. While the conservation of languages is crucial, it is also necessary to allow languages to evolve. Language evo- lution is a natural process driven by changes in society, technology and human interaction. It reflects the adapt- ability of human communities as they respond to new challenges, technologies and ideas. Evolution allows lan- guages to remain relevant and functional for their speak- ers, incorporating new concepts, objects and ideas that emerge with societal progress. Innovation in language, manifested through new vocabulary, expressions, pronun- ciation, and sometimes even grammar, enables speakers to communicate more effectively about their contempo- rary world. It also facilitates the integration of different
22
THE ALLEYNIAN 712
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker