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I think the best argument for keeping dying languages "alive" is to be able to study the way they make meaning. Some words and phrases are not directly translat

I think the best argument for keeping dying languages "alive" is to be able to study the way they make meaning. Some words and phrases are not directly translatable to certain languages because that is not how those speakers think about the world. This is fascinating and possibly useful. When languages die we lose these ideas and ways of thinking and the bounds of consciousness become ever so slightly smaller.

BurningFrog 5y ago
Linguistics is an important and fascinating science. I'm all for studying dead and dying languages in all ways possible. What I'm strongly against is forcing kids to learn an impractical language because old people can't let go of the past and/or want to win political battles.
- huachimingo 5y ago
  I am not advocating for the last one but what if the kid actually liked learning that language? What if local TV had memorable cartoons and more nice things (books, songs,etc)? This is the Catalan case. Grey-ish as life I guess.
- userulluipeste 5y ago
  "I'm all for studying dead and dying languages in all ways possible. What I'm strongly against is forcing kids to learn an impractical language because old people can't let go of the past and/or want to win political battles." You are basically "strongly against" new generations inheriting most of their parents' identity. That is not OK, however you spin it.
  - throwaway894345 5y ago
    I would make a distinction between “forced to learn” (i.e., top down by government or social pressure) and “learning naturally in the home”. The latter isn’t “forced” in any useful sense of the term (or else everyone is “forced” to learn their native language). I can be against one and not the other. Not sure if that’s what the OP was intending, however.
  - BurningFrog 5y ago
    Kids will automatically speak the language their parents speak. You've misunderstood.

BurningFrog 5y ago

Linguistics is an important and fascinating science. I'm all for studying dead and dying languages in all ways possible. What I'm strongly against is forcing kids to learn an impractical language because old people can't let go of the past and/or want to win political battles.

huachimingo 5y ago
I am not advocating for the last one but what if the kid actually liked learning that language? What if local TV had memorable cartoons and more nice things (books, songs,etc)? This is the Catalan case. Grey-ish as life I guess.
userulluipeste 5y ago
"I'm all for studying dead and dying languages in all ways possible. What I'm strongly against is forcing kids to learn an impractical language because old people can't let go of the past and/or want to win political battles." You are basically "strongly against" new generations inheriting most of their parents' identity. That is not OK, however you spin it.
- throwaway894345 5y ago
  I would make a distinction between “forced to learn” (i.e., top down by government or social pressure) and “learning naturally in the home”. The latter isn’t “forced” in any useful sense of the term (or else everyone is “forced” to learn their native language). I can be against one and not the other. Not sure if that’s what the OP was intending, however.
- BurningFrog 5y ago
  Kids will automatically speak the language their parents speak. You've misunderstood.