We need one shared world language.

JoeyB · 01-07-2012, 09:49 PM

I will be as brief as I can while still making the point. This is something I have been saying for quite awhile now and I felt like putting it out there for others to mull over. It seems to me that language in diversity is in and of itself dangerous to world peace. Perhaps that seems wonky, but bear with me. This is not about cultural differences, though people often wrap language and culture together. No...people can speak the same tongue and still have different cultures, proof of that exists all over America. I am also not arguing for any form of imperialism or making the neo-con 'English only' argument seen in America, both of which I deeply feel are about imposing culture and dominance rather than bringing people closer together. I do feel America should have English recognized as it's language, but not for the same reasons as the neo-cons.

But look at what happens when you have groups of people separated by language. They may exist within a whole, but they are nearly segregated in any functional sense. It's not just individuals keeping culture alive, it's people living entirely within a subculture because they simply cannot function within the larger population. Being isolated to such an extreme, they begin to develop social practices and even thought patterns that can further sabotage any efforts to interact with those not of their very particular and increasingly narrow group. Now, extrapolate that out into the world at large and you see why nations are so inclined towards fear and xenophobic distrust.

When you mix people with different cultures, but similar language, they interact, they share. Yes, they retain identity as they should, but they learn and prosper from exposure to others. It creates richness in humanity. This isn't about making people conform, it's about creating circumstances where everyone can be who they are and still be part of the larger world. It is, in short, basic human usability. And much like making computers easier to use or improving traffic flow through better layouts, a shared language performs the technical task of making human relations easier and more fluid.

I realize there is a whole can of worms waiting to be opened over which language would be used, and I have a fair amount to say about that which I will withhold at this time, but the basic point remains; one world language would do wonders for humanity.

There are of course small pockets of humanity that would be particularly difficult to integrate into this process. As an example, people born deaf and not given extensive early age instruction in dealing with oral language. But, in that group exists a perfect microcosm demonstrating why one world language should be applied. Look at the hardcore, militant deaf culture and see what is happening there, and perhaps you'll understand my argument more.

Debate or ignore. It's one of many theories I have and just happens to be the one I felt like sharing today.

LassLicker · 01-07-2012, 10:54 PM

Imagine - John Lennon - YouTube

perrhaps · 01-11-2012, 04:04 PM

Too young to remember Esperanto?

JoeyB · 01-11-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrhaps

Too young to remember Esperanto?

I've posted this thread on a number of forums, and as I said above was refraining from mentioning any possible world language or my reasons why in the opening post. It came up elsewhere though (over at Webbys), and Esperanto was one of the languages I mentioned as a possibility. It is my 'easier to teach, harder to initially implement' option. Sort of the mirror image of English in that regard. Each language has a possibility for merit, but they all have potential drawbacks.

perrhaps · 01-12-2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyB

I've posted this thread on a number of forums, and as I said above was refraining from mentioning any possible world language or my reasons why in the opening post. It came up elsewhere though (over at Webbys), and Esperanto was one of the languages I mentioned as a possibility. It is my 'easier to teach, harder to initially implement' option. Sort of the mirror image of English in that regard. Each language has a possibility for merit, but they all have potential drawbacks.

My point was that Esperanto was greeted with fanfare. If my memory serves, it was even taught in some US public schools for a little while. I clearly remember an Esperanto Club in my school.

Then, the enthusiasm for it petered out. Seems not enough people really wanted a universal language back then. Nor, I suspect, do they now.

JoeyB · 01-12-2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrhaps

My point was that Esperanto was greeted with fanfare. If my memory serves, it was even taught in some US public schools for a little while. I clearly remember an Esperanto Club in my school.

Then, the enthusiasm for it petered out. Seems not enough people really wanted a universal language back then. Nor, I suspect, do they now.

Esperanto is still alive and well. A shared world language movement can fail in the past, it doesn't mean the concept is bad or couldn't be attempted again. Failure is a means to see what methods won't work, and help find those that will.

perrhaps · 01-13-2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyB

Esperanto is still alive and well. A shared world language movement can fail in the past, it doesn't mean the concept is bad or couldn't be attempted again. Failure is a means to see what methods won't work, and help find those that will.

Please name one truly influential and respected person in the world (other than you

) who is presently advocating a universal language.

JoeyB · 01-13-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrhaps

Please name one truly influential and respected person in the world (other than you

) who is presently advocating a universal language.

I'm saying we need to try it. Ideas must start somewhere.

pinto · 01-13-2012, 10:49 PM

The FAA English is the language of International Air Control (tho not a person)

JoeyB · 01-14-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinto

The FAA English is the language of International Air Control (tho not a person)

I like the whole 'niner' thing. See, in even official language circles you have confusion.

01-07-2012, 09:49 PM	#1
JoeyB SPYKER'S ANUS OF JOY Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: I am lost so I am cruel, but I'd be love and sweetness if I had you Posts: 13,178	We need one shared world language. I will be as brief as I can while still making the point. This is something I have been saying for quite awhile now and I felt like putting it out there for others to mull over. It seems to me that language in diversity is in and of itself dangerous to world peace. Perhaps that seems wonky, but bear with me. This is not about cultural differences, though people often wrap language and culture together. No...people can speak the same tongue and still have different cultures, proof of that exists all over America. I am also not arguing for any form of imperialism or making the neo-con 'English only' argument seen in America, both of which I deeply feel are about imposing culture and dominance rather than bringing people closer together. I do feel America should have English recognized as it's language, but not for the same reasons as the neo-cons. But look at what happens when you have groups of people separated by language. They may exist within a whole, but they are nearly segregated in any functional sense. It's not just individuals keeping culture alive, it's people living entirely within a subculture because they simply cannot function within the larger population. Being isolated to such an extreme, they begin to develop social practices and even thought patterns that can further sabotage any efforts to interact with those not of their very particular and increasingly narrow group. Now, extrapolate that out into the world at large and you see why nations are so inclined towards fear and xenophobic distrust. When you mix people with different cultures, but similar language, they interact, they share. Yes, they retain identity as they should, but they learn and prosper from exposure to others. It creates richness in humanity. This isn't about making people conform, it's about creating circumstances where everyone can be who they are and still be part of the larger world. It is, in short, basic human usability. And much like making computers easier to use or improving traffic flow through better layouts, a shared language performs the technical task of making human relations easier and more fluid. I realize there is a whole can of worms waiting to be opened over which language would be used, and I have a fair amount to say about that which I will withhold at this time, but the basic point remains; one world language would do wonders for humanity. There are of course small pockets of humanity that would be particularly difficult to integrate into this process. As an example, people born deaf and not given extensive early age instruction in dealing with oral language. But, in that group exists a perfect microcosm demonstrating why one world language should be applied. Look at the hardcore, militant deaf culture and see what is happening there, and perhaps you'll understand my argument more. Debate or ignore. It's one of many theories I have and just happens to be the one I felt like sharing today.

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01-11-2012, 04:04 PM	#3
perrhaps Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,718	Too young to remember Esperanto?

01-13-2012, 10:49 PM	#9
pinto micro waster Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 40	The FAA English is the language of International Air Control (tho not a person)