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A language is a map to reality. More languages means more maps, more conceptual models, more strategies of existence. Consider this: each additional language i
by arthurofbabylon 4y ago
A language is a map to reality. More languages means more maps, more conceptual models, more strategies of existence.
Consider this: each additional language improves humanity's capacity to evolve and shift, a particularly valuable trait considering the pace of environmental and socioeconomic change. More languages increases the likelihood that humanity will continue to survive and maybe even thrive. (Reality one hundred, one thousand, and ten thousand years from now will each demand different models or languages.)
- BlackSwanMan 4y ago[flagged]
- chaostheory 4y agoThat only applies imo if the same individual learns multiple languages; not even half the world is bilingual. The cons that come with increased conflict outweigh the benefits imo. It is way too easy to “other” strangers if you don’t share the same language and general culture. It’s already bad enough when people do share the same language and main culture.
- arthurofbabylon 4y agoZoom out a bit. How many iterations of civilization have we seen over the past 250k years? A lot. Language is the architecture of civilization, with each iteration of society dependent on the structures of vernacular to take its shape. I am personally doubtful that humanity will be able to succeed for more than a few hundred years as a mono-culture. It needs variance (multiple languages) and experimentation (new languages) to evolve and respond to change. My argument is not about individuals speaking multiple languages, it's about different groups of people adopting different models of reality and trying them out.