Listening To (and Saving) the World's Languages

Languages are in flux. Many are threatened and dying out. A number of languages are currently being constructed (e.g. Esperanto, Interlingua). An article in the NY Times reported that New York is "home to 800 languages" and, as such, is "the capital of language density." Learn more

There are a number of reasons for language die out, including colonialism, ethnic cleansing, etc. Many of the speakers of endangered languages are indigenous peoples who have been colonized and have survived genocide.

One of the tasks, as cosmopolitans, of our century is to preserve endangered languages as much as possible. On the other hand it should also be a goal to foster an international language that will serve as the world's official second language, a dream put forward by the 19th century spiritual teacher and Muslim reformer Baha'ullah.

On a World Language, Baha'ullah taught;
"The oneness of language, namely that a universal language shall be adopted which shall be taught by all the schools and academies of the world. A committee appointed by national bodies shall select a suitable language to be used as a means of communication, and that language shall be taught in all the schools of the world in order that everyone shall need but two languages, his national tongue and the universal language. All will acquire the international language.” (Learn more)

At a minimum, we suggest that all people of the world become multilingual, which should include:
(a) The predominant language of the region in which they are residing
(b) Can sign in a standardized universal and international sign language
(c) Can read and write simplified Chinese
(d) Can communicate in an international constructed language such as Esperanto or Interlingua

Visit Pandora on languages here or Earth on Languages here