Would the world be better off with many different languages spoken or with just one universal language?
“While there are more than 6,000 languages spoken globally at present, less than 600 are likely to endure in 2115, and they could be simplified versions of what we recognise today, one linguist has claimed.” (McWhorter,2015)
While it sounds pleasing to have just one universal language that everyone could use, language is always linked to culture, and different dialects of the world language would definitely develop. Therefore, a world with just one universal language would never work. This can already be seen happening to the English language, where American and British speakers would have a tough time understanding what Malaysians and Singaporeans speak, even though they are speaking English. The global language would just fragment, and it wouldn't be a global language any more. The main reason why it would not work is because languages change and it represents identity.
It is not difficult to tell that languages change as languages tend to propagate and diverge.. Even in the past few hundred years, the English language has undergone major changes. This is the reason why it is difficult for us to understand old literature. When one language changes in different ways in different geographical regions, new languages are created eventually. Most importantly, language is not simply a means for communicating but is also our identity. People do not merely communicate ideas using language but also who they are, where they come from and their beliefs. Having just one universal language would be similar to everyone dressing exactly the same. Of course having just one language would promote efficiency, but it's not how people behave. Humans aspire to have their own distinct identities and form different groups. The same aspirations that drive us to wave different flags, root for different teams, listen to different music and have different cultures mean we'll continue to have different languages (Ettlinger, 2007).
CULTURE
According to McWhorter, “A language is not just a collection of words and rules; it's part of a culture, learned early, used with kids, the vehicle of the most intimate and warm feelings.”
I strongly believe that if we all spoke the same language we would lose a part of our individuality and some of the diversity in the world. There are so many different languages throughout the world, that it would be an enormous challenge to get everyone to speak the same language. It would make life easier in some ways – for example, transportation arrangements would be simpler, media would not have to be broadcast in multiple languages, communication would be easier, and there would be fewer miscommunications and problems in the workplace if everyone spoke the same language. But, in my opinion, the best part about us is that we are all different. We all have our own identity and cultural traditions, and even though we have problems at airports and trying to get directions in a different country because of language differences, I believe that if our variety in languages is taken away some of what makes us unique will also be taken away. As well, I feel that the adventure of travelling to a foreign country to learn about and experience a different way of life would not be as exciting if everyone spoke the same language.
I think that if everyone were to speak the same language it would make the world boring. It would make many things easier, for example we wouldn't have to worry about traveling and how we will communicate people from other countries but it will take away cultural diversity and will force people to lose their cultural heritage. No one would have any uniqueness to their culture and heritage.
I don't think the world would be better if everyone spoke the same language because it would reduce individuality. It would reduce individuality because everyone would become alike and sound alike. It would also assimilate different cultures because they would lose there languages and cultures. They could also lose there religion. I also think if everyone could speak the same language it would cause more fights, wars etc, because it's easier to communicate. This is my reasoning on why i think the world wouldn't be better place if everyone spoke the same language.
the world would be a worse place if everyone spoke English. if everyone were the same the will be loss of cultural diversity,you would not be able to conserve your family history, there will be loss of identity. just like Mitali Perkins who spoke about her childhood need to assimilate into western country caused her the loss of her first language and she could have the identity she desired. it leads to loss of language.less diversity in religion. cooking will be different and there will be loss of variety of meals. we would only have one particular kind of music which would be boring.the world wound be a non lively place if everyone spoke the same language and we would not be able to learn other languages which some people have passion to learn.
I think that the world would not be a better place if everyone were to speak the same language. By this I mean that there would be many disadvantages if everyone was to speak the same language. Some examples of the disadvantages would be that all of the other languages would disappear and when these languages disappear so does the knowledge that was passed on in the culture that spoke the language. Also the people who have to change their language would lose some of their cultural identity and their own identity.
If everyone spoke the same language then a big part of some cultures would be lost and a lot of diversity. It would also take away the oppurtunity to learn a new language.
For the negative side, I think if everybody spoke the same language a huge part of everyone's culture would be lost. The language that your past relatives once spoke will be lost and, like Temmy said, will cut you off from one of the things that shape your identity and your past. It would take away a lot of diversity in the world. Also, if someone wanted to learn a new language, they couldn't because EVERYBODY WOULD BE SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE. I know this would sound weird, but there would be a lot less varieties of cuisine, like Chinese and Indian. The same thing goes for music.
I think the world would be a worse and boring if everyone spoke the same language. The reason I say so is because if everyone spoke the same language then cultures will be lost, there will be no cultural diversity which mean not just the languages will be the same but with time everyone will. You will not be able to connect to you history or heritage. The language your ancestors once spoke will be lost forever thereby cutting you off from one of the things that shape your identity and also from your past. Same language isn't good also because there will be lose of religious diversity, and multicultural foods and music.
I believe that if the world only spoke one language multiple issues would arise. One of which would be cultural issues where all other previous beliefs would cease to exist and people would not have a choice of what to believe in.
FAMILY FINDING
Ann issue of heritage would also rise , if everyone spontaneously began to speak one language there would be a conflict of one's history and family heritage. No one would be able to trace their heritage to another and families would be torn apart or even lost forever. Generations would be forgotten and ancestry would, for some, no longer be recognized. And that is why I think that the would be mass conflict if the world only spoke one language.
SMARTER
Language diversity contributes to learning and expansion of one's knowledge. Knowing many languages stimulates the mind and has been proven to slow the effects of diseases such as Alzheimer's. It would not be a good idea for the 1.5 billion people who speak English to tell the other 6 billion people that they need to make the switch to English to make communication, transportation and business more efficient. This would contribute to a detrimental loss of culture and get the world one step closer to a unified world state. Learning another language also (usually) helps in communication of your fist language.
SAPIR WHORF
Inuit people more words for snow
Some words dont exist in other languages
Express yoursefl
ADAPTATION
Darwin's theory of evolution preaches diverse species survive whereas ones that can't adapt fail. Humans need diverse languages in order to move forward with our society in a positive way.
humans come from diverse ethnic backgrounds and many cultures. A single global language leads to homogeneity as opposed to differentiation. Verbal understanding would be better, but the diversification of ideas would cease.