The End of Diversity?

            In today’s world the expansion of the English language into other cultures and countries is spreading like wildfire. This is due to several reasons: Increased globalization primarily in business, increased abilities of the internet and video and tele communications, and finally the U.S. and British aid in foreign countries. According to studies by linguists around the world, it is estimated that up to 95% of the languages spoken on Earth will be gone within the next several hundred years. A staggering number, but just how great of impact will this have? And should there be something being done to prevent this outcome? Or are we in fact better off for it?

            As mentioned before one of the greatest influences on language throughout the world is development of newer and more sophisticated technologies. When a 12 year old Texas kid can play Madden against a kid in Tokyo you know that the world has become much smaller and that anything is possible. Corporations use video conferencing to interact with clients in China, India, and Europe. . . These make decision making for global companies much easier, faster, and without the misunderstandings that could transpire through other media. With the internet virtually all the information of the world can be brought up as quickly as it can be typed into Google. These inventions are dramatically improving the productivity and efficiency of companies worldwide, as well as letting all comers compete who can produce this technology. This can only improve global conditions and even more importantly the youths of our nations are able to interact and relate to one another like never before, leading to friendships and understandings that before unthinkable.

            However, this is but half of the reason for English taking the forefront in global language. While business is a key for improving economic, financial, and social conditions there is an even greater force pushing English throughout the world. Need. Virtually 2/3 of the world live in poverty and in the majority of these countries basic necessities such as food and water are hard to come by. In these situations the United States and the UK have taken charge in organizing relief efforts. Whether through Red Cross or some sort of Government help we have put the responsibility to help these individuals on our shoulders. Yet this help comes at a price. For our volunteers to be able to effectively go into these areas and administer aid and relief they have to be able to communicate with those they are helping. And while our hearts are in the right place, learning foreign languages is a skill that most of forgot in high school. Therefore it is up to those being helped to learn English in order to have effective communications with those who are trying to help them.

            While I believe that there is value in every language and that each culture has something to offer us as human beings, I believe that helping these countries survive and become self sufficient is far more important. It would be far worse off if we lost 50% of the Earth’s population as opposed to 90% of the languages. And with our technology perhaps we could go to each unique language and form of communication and record and archive them, so that when these countries and their people have the basic necessities then they can go about restoring their many languages and dialects. Perhaps I am naïve and there is a conspiracy by the world powers to erase foreign cultures, but I’d like to think there’s a greater reason for such a loss. And perhaps we can avert this much as we are beginning to fight global warming which is still considered a theory to some.

-Truth