Importance of language?

LP · June 28, 2017, 4:23am

What is the importance of language besides communication?

KKF · June 28, 2017, 4:42am

Re: Importance of language?

redvelvet · June 28, 2017, 6:59am

Re: Importance of language?

There are several necessary components that make up a civilization and are essential for its survival. Among then are government, culture, language, etc etc. I've always felt that language is most important one. For example, take the ancient Egyptian civilization. We can make conclusions about their lifestyle from their buildings, their art (pictures, pottery, statues), environment (climate, being near a river, etc etc). But being able to decode their language (the hieroglyphics) is what provides greater insight about their religious beliefs, their government, their day to day riruals. That written language alone includes so much. Another way to think of it is that let's say you come upon a diary of someone who lived long ago. There might not be any pictures, but from the language you can learn about the time period that person lived in...what were the beliefs, what was the political situation of the time, etc etc.

So, apart from communication, language can bridge or link us to the past. Language preserves.

Language can also unite. Think of the Quran. It's written in Arabic. You may not be able to understand the native language of a Chinese Muslim...or of a Russian Muslim.....but what unites you with them is the Arabic in the Quran...which even you know how to read...and it's the same Arabic which is recited in the namaz and in the duas. But putting religion to the side....a language contains other languages. For example you can find urdu words in Arabic and Persian. French and Spanish have many words in common. This not only helps in communication and comprehension (to an extent) but it can promote a connection of sorts or a unity between people of different nationalities, etc.

Language offers privacy. For example, let's say that I am in a store with my mom and talking to the shopkeeper....in English. If I want to discuss something privately with mom which I don't want shopkeeper to know...I switch to Urdu. I've always loved this perk of being fluent in a language besides English...your own native language. It's a shame (in my opinion) that some people don't want to teach their kids their native language.

It's said that people who speak more than one language find it easier to learn a third one.

I also feel that the more languages you know develops your understanding of other people as well as empathy. Every language has its nuances, it's unique sayings, it's unique sense of humor, etc etc. So, while someone who is ignorant might raise their eyebrows or scoff and snort at something said in another language....you might not find it unusual if you are fluent in that language...because you know how the speakers of that language think. I've heard bilingual people say that when they're speaking Spanish then they're also thinking in Spanish....and when they're speaking in English then they're thinking in English. This ability to switch modes is amazing...and with this switch comes changes in tone, expression, gestures, body-language.

So, those are my 2 cents on the question.

LP · July 2, 2017, 2:09pm

Re: Importance of language?

Interesting read

redvelvet:

There are several necessary components that make up a civilization and are essential for its survival. Among then are government, culture, language, etc etc. I’ve always felt that language is most important one. For example, take the ancient Egyptian civilization. We can make conclusions about their lifestyle from their buildings, their art (pictures, pottery, statues), environment (climate, being near a river, etc etc). But being able to decode their language (the hieroglyphics) is what provides greater insight about their religious beliefs, their government, their day to day riruals. That written language alone includes so much. Another way to think of it is that let’s say you come upon a diary of someone who lived long ago. There might not be any pictures, but from the language you can learn about the time period that person lived in…what were the beliefs, what was the political situation of the time, etc etc.

So, apart from communication, language can bridge or link us to the past. Language preserves.

Language can also unite. Think of the Quran. It’s written in Arabic. You may not be able to understand the native language of a Chinese Muslim…or of a Russian Muslim…but what unites you with them is the Arabic in the Quran…which even you know how to read…and it’s the same Arabic which is recited in the namaz and in the duas. But putting religion to the side…a language contains other languages. For example you can find urdu words in Arabic and Persian. French and Spanish have many words in common. This not only helps in communication and comprehension (to an extent) but it can promote a connection of sorts or a unity between people of different nationalities, etc.

Language offers privacy. For example, let’s say that I am in a store with my mom and talking to the shopkeeper…in English. If I want to discuss something privately with mom which I don’t want shopkeeper to know…I switch to Urdu. I’ve always loved this perk of being fluent in a language besides English…your own native language. It’s a shame (in my opinion) that some people don’t want to teach their kids their native language.

It’s said that people who speak more than one language find it easier to learn a third one.

I also feel that the more languages you know develops your understanding of other people as well as empathy. Every language has its nuances, it’s unique sayings, it’s unique sense of humor, etc etc. So, while someone who is ignorant might raise their eyebrows or scoff and snort at something said in another language…you might not find it unusual if you are fluent in that language…because you know how the speakers of that language think. I’ve heard bilingual people say that when they’re speaking Spanish then they’re also thinking in Spanish…and when they’re speaking in English then they’re thinking in English. This ability to switch modes is amazing…and with this switch comes changes in tone, expression, gestures, body-language.

So, those are my 2 cents on the question.