There were thousands and thousands of languages on the planet in the far past. From things such as genocide, negligence and dying out tribes of certain people, and the fact that people are no longer learning a language, languages are disappearing. For example, there are many aboriginal lanugages that only 2 or 3 people speak now, for example. Approximentally 6,912 languages exist still, but only 600 are being passed down and taught in schools. How does everyone else feel about this? Positive, negative? Discuss?

There were thousands and thousands of languages on the planet in the far past. From things such as genocide, negligence and dying out tribes of certain people, and the fact that people are no longer learning a language, languages are dissapearing. For example, there are many aboriginal lanugages that only 2 or 3 people speak now, for example. Approximentally 6,912 languages exist still, but only 600 are being passed down and taught in schools. How does everyone else feel about this? Positive, negative? discuss?
The most negative impact I see is that when a langauge is lost, part (or sometimes all) of a culture is lost.

I must mention that I do not believe that every known language should be taught in schools, but we should try to *preserve* as many languages as possible by documenting them, making audio/video recordings, etc. so that all might be able to reference them when necessary.

Peace.

I'm again it.

From a sociology aspect, there's the loss of info and culture. I guess some may disagree, but I think culture and language are linked. As the language is lost, the cultural ties are broken.

From a scientific POV, there's loss of info that can trace human history (like fossils we can't find or were never made or destroyed).

So what brought on the question?

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I understand the importance of preserving history and languages.. but, seems like it would be easier to understand each other and get along better if we spoke a similar language.

Good Question!

Yes, that's worked out so well among US and Britain and Canada and Australia... <G>

I agree with all of you, as well... plenty of different languages and cultures gives life variety.