Return to Babylon
Sometimes me gets so wrapped up in gettin through the day that Me misses something really important. Jessica Williams wrote a book in 2004 called '50 facts that should change the world'.
Some of you probably have heard of and read it already; if you haven't, then you can follow this link to a review. Of the many interesting and astounding facts presented in the book, one that stood out for me was the extinction of ten languages a year.
All those centuries ago as we ascended the tower in an effort to raise ourselves as equals of God. We found ourselves split without a common language to express our thoughts and needs. There are times when even those who supposedly speak the same language are still unable to communicate with each other.
As each year passes, many people are forced to adapt to speak in a new language and often survive in a strange culture. Now as the world seems to slowly descend into the Orwellian paradigm, Me be wonderin what languages and societies will be left standing.
What vernacular will yer great grandchildren use?
Me no got all the facts, Jack.
14 comments:
Me still trying to figger out what language you be speaking. LE STOMP!
This is why I find it SO important to expose myself to women of all cultures.
There's a line from Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 that goes something like, "Cram them full of facts, but give them no information."
Facts are one thing. Context is another. A fact doesn't mean much without its context.
I hadn't heard the fact that ten languages disappear per year. But it doesn't mean anything seriously malevolent or benevolent in and of itself. For example, twins sometimes develop whole languages, with vocabularies of tens of thousands of words. Are they included in this? Then there are faddish languages (e.g. Esperanto) that nobody ever spoke. Would we be really all that upset were it to vanish (especially since Klingon is a more sophisticated synthetic language:-).
After reading the review that you linked to, I saw a lot of facts that are really taken out of context every day, and for many years their significance has been misinterpreted.
Careful, Puerileuwaite. They might put you in prison for doing that in some cultures:-)
I haven't read the book, wasn't aware of the "10 per year" theory. It wouldn't surprise me, though. In the future, perhaps the whole world will speak a sanitized, politically correct version of double-speak English. It won't be called English.
Oh, look, the Mighty D is ahead in the poll.:)
Mr. Dykerson~ Me too.
Pug~ Methinks you do more'n expose yerself.
X-Dell- Me were thinking that it were inneresting the way we are amalgamating into larger more distinct and possibly unified groups. Me hasn't read the book, but has seen an interview with the author and she does provide context for her facts and even states that the facts are constantly changing as the world changes.
SJ~ slipped right by me while me were typing. Sly devil, you.
STOMP.
I think the Star Trek nerds should keep Klingon going. I hope my great-grandchildren speak Klingon. I hope they speak highly of me in Klingon.
Mighty D is way ahead today. WOOT! Go Dyckerson
starting with internet "language" and decreasing from there - lol.
TAGGED!
Dr.Noisewater~ Me believes that iffin you kick them children in the nads they will speak very highly of you in any language you choose.
Corn Dog~ Me not too sure he's gonna be happy 'bout that.
Sun, baby! Language on the Net be truly bizzare. Most peoples don't be able to put a simple sentance together, Ya!
Wadda ya mean, tagged?
10 a year? That's it? The way these African and South American Tribes are being decimated, I would have thought it was higher than that. I think we should all speak English with an Irish accent. I would be turned on all of the time then.
Cockney Rhyming slang will become the dominant way of speaking in one hemisphere and ebonics in the other. This division shall tear the world apart.
Perhaps they will communicate through interpretive dance. Now that's a scary thought!
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