posted September 27, 2007 05:27 AM              

Every 14 days a language dies. By 2100, more than half of the more than 7,000 languages spoken on Earth—many of them never yet recorded—will likely disappear, taking with them a wealth of knowledge about history, culture, the natural environment, and how the human brain works.

Language defines a culture, through both the people who speak it and what it allows speakers to say. Words that describe a particular cultural practice or idea rarely translate precisely into another language. Many endangered languages have rich oral cultures with stories, songs, and histories passed on to younger generations, but no written forms. With the extinction of a language, an entire culture is lost.

Much of what humans know about nature is encoded only in oral languages. Indigenous groups that have interacted closely with the natural world for thousands of years often have profound insights into local lands, plants, animals, and ecosystems—many still undocumented by science. Studying indigenous languages therefore benefits environmental understanding and conservation efforts.

Please Click Here to learn more.

*I feel that National Geographic's Enduring Voices Project is a wonderful beginning to help with this issue. I am personally very concerned about a loss of proper translation for the generations to come. This subject makes me think about the Bible's many translations throughout history. How few people there are that really are able to read it or understand it in it's original languages. It also makes me wonder what it would be like to have my own language dying out, how difficult this would be.
What are your ideas or opinions on this issue?

posted September 27, 2007 08:53 AM              

You should edit your picture to this:

Nasa edits to much.

posted September 27, 2007 04:33 PM              

Here in India, the language is a big issue, as much that it is creating so much divide within the people. For the same reason, I am a person who would say we need a unified language all over the world so as to create a oneness among people! We have a very false national pride (Spanish, German, English, Finnish, French, Hindi, what not) all around the globe, and is a major factor promoting conflict.

But when I see it from the point of view where you have posted here, I do agree that such rich knowledge resources should be treasured, and saved as well.

posted September 27, 2007 09:16 PM              

We DO NOT need a unified language.

What would it be any ways? English? Real fair.

The thing is, there will be conflict no matter what. I have just as many barriers with fellow English speakers as I do with people from other countries with different languages.

It is naive to think that a universal language would solve all the worlds problems. It would severely hurt the many rich cultures around the world. Languages and culture are strongly tied together.

PLEASE, no universal language.

posted September 27, 2007 09:37 PM              

False national pride is in fact a reality everywhere I've lived.
I wonder though if languages really are the issue or cause.
Or, could it be rather cultural teachings?

Moonie when you say:

quote:

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Here in India, the language is a big issue, as much that it is creating so much divide within the people.

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In the area where I live most people speak both English and Spanish, it is a necessity to know English and desireable to know Spanish... It really was'nt like this when I was a child. Everyone just spoke English everywhere. Now with so many immigrants from Mexico here it has become much more common. Our schools have bi-lingual classes kindergarden through the third grade or so to help intergrade students who do not learn English in thier home environment. It has however enriched the lives of English speaking children as well.

Another question if you will:
What languages are common where you live?

posted September 27, 2007 09:54 PM              

False national pride is in fact a reality everywhere I've lived.
I wonder though if languages really are the issue or cause.
Or, could it be rather cultural teachings?

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Maybe a universal language with the mother tongue is a good idea. That does take the fun out of learning another language though, haha.

But the thing is, things will still be unclear even with a unified language. I face more barriers with English speakers than I do with French speakers sometimes! Remember too, communication is a small part verbal, but a huge part body language!!

Making a unified language will not suddenly make everything clear.

And if people don't have national pride, they will just have something else to be prifeful over.

However, you may get your wish soon as the globes elite are striving towards a one world government. Great for them, not so much for us.

posted September 28, 2007 08:20 AM            

quote:

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I also feel there is such a thing as having a combination of national pride and respect for other cultures. if we can learn to balance the two (and maybe learn a few languages on the way) than that is the best thing in my eyes.

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posted September 28, 2007 02:42 PM            

quote:

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Another question if you will:
What languages are common where you live?

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Well where I live (Rhode Island) in order of most common: English, Portuguese, Spanish.

quote:

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*I feel that National Geographic's Enduring Voices Project is a wonderful beginning to help with this issue. I am personally very concerned about a loss of proper translation for the generations to come. This subject makes me think about the Bible's many translations throughout history. How few people there are that really are able to read it or understand it in it's original languages. It also makes me wonder what it would be like to have my own language dying out, how difficult this would be.
What are your ideas or opinions on this issue?

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The thing is I don't think languages neccesarily die out but what happens is that they evolve into something different. Take Latin for instance, now in the form of Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian. Another example would be Africa where there are a TON of languages that came from several different original sources that are "extinct".