glossaLAB - User contributions [en]

Draft:A unified language

2025-01-05T22:55:17Z

Sheila Gabe:

'''Abstract'''

The idea of one unified language has been introduced by many philosophers, each with contrasting views. For example, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the German philosopher, thought of the Universal Characteristic<ref>Leibniz, G. W. (1703). ''New Essays on Human Understanding''. (A. G. Langley, Trans.). Cambridge University Press, 1981.</ref> (Characteristica Universalis), a universal logical language designed for reasoning, to help comprehend scientific and philosophical ideas. Leibniz believed that a common language would facilitate better communication of knowledge and ideas across different cultures, helping humanity progress in science and philosophy. Thomas More also discussed a universal language in his book ''Utopia''<ref>Zhou, G. (2011). The Language of Utopia. In: Placing the Modern Chinese Vernacular in Transnational Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. </ref> (1516). In this work, he describes a society where everyone speaks the same language with no dialect, which reflects the views of the society and promotes equality and unity. In contrast, in his essay ''The Analytical Language of John Wilkins'', Jorge Luis Borges<ref>Borges, J. L. (2007). The analytical language of John Wilkins. In A. Reid (Ed.), ''Labyrinths: Selected stories and other writings'' (pp. 249-256). New York Review of Books</ref> presents a dystopian view of a universal language, highlighting the loss of individual perspective and the control over thought. Borges shows a Universal Language would turn complex thoughts and emotions to rigid structures.

'''<big>The Language</big>'''

''Every sign on the street, every menu in a restaurant, and every poster in the world, I would be able to read. I could be on the other side of the world, take a train, and if I locked eyes with a stranger, I could easily start a conversation about the weather or ask for directions without any problem communicating. I am not a linguist or a polyglot, but the world today consists of just one language. Every government in the world has made their people speak one unified language. Every film is made in the Language. Every song is sung in the Language. Every book is written in the Language. It can be heard and seen in every corner of the world.''

''The government has also ensured that no dialect or accent exists. This is to prevent any miscommunication or division in how people speak the Language and help unite people. The Language is heavily controlled by a group called the Language Society, which decides which new words may enter the Dictionary. Words not in the Dictionary are forbidden from use. This has been the norm for decades, as the goal of every country’s government was to maximize their economy and move toward globalization.''

''My grandpa's father was Filipino, and he was the last in our family to speak the language when he was young. However, as he grew older, he—like the rest of the world—soon forgot it, as the government sought to eradicate Tagalog and enforce The Language during his teenage years. They burned books and destroyed every trace of Tagalog in literature, films, and even songs, replacing everything with translated versions.''

''The only word he remembered was "Mahal," a word he used to call my great-grandmother in private until the day she passed. He shared this word with my grandpa, who passed it down to me. It remains the only connection we have to the language that was once ours.''

'''<big>Utopia</big>'''

A common and unified language can contribute significantly to the advancement of globalization, which in turn fosters better communication, economic progress, cultural exchange, and education. In both social and professional life, improved communication can lead to significant changes, increasing efficiency, driving improvements, and preventing mistakes. Many issues caused by miscommunication could be effectively avoided.

'''Miscommunication'''

According to a paper<ref>Abuarqoub, I. (2019). Language barriers to effective communication. Universidad del Zulia.</ref> published by the University of Zulia in Venezuela, language continues to remain a barrier in conveying messages to people in the era of globalization and communication. The paper highlights instances of the negative impact of language barriers. For example, it can cause difficulties in healthcare, preventing patients from receiving proper care from doctors and healthcare providers. Both patients and interpreters have voiced concerns about the inefficiencies in healthcare due to miscommunication, which leads to inferior patient assessments, misdiagnoses, a lack of understanding of the patient's health history and condition, and the risk of errors in prescribed treatments.

Additionally, the language barrier is evident in aviation, where there have been multiple examples of accidents and tragedies that could have been easily avoided with clear and proper communication. One such instance resulted in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. The Dutch captain of KLM announced, "We are now at takeoff." However, the Portuguese air traffic controller misinterpreted this to mean they were on standby for takeoff, while the captain intended to begin takeoff. This misunderstanding led to a collision with a 747 Pan Am plane that was on the runway, resulting in a combined total of 583 deaths from both planes. Due to both parties speaking a second language, English, the misunderstanding caused this tragic event. As a result, the aviation industry introduced a standardized universal terminology to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

'''Globalization'''

With one universal language, it would certainly encourage globalization across various sectors, bringing key benefits such as ease of communication, economic advancement, cultural exchange, further education and research, enhanced travel and tourism, and, lastly, aiding diplomacy and international relations.

With the ease of communication, everyone would be able to share their culture without the need for a translator. More people would be inclined to travel and explore without worrying about the language barrier. When one is able to explore and learn about other cultures, they tend to become more open-minded and empathetic. There would be less discrimination and fewer stereotypes when everyone can connect with each other, learn about one another personally, and experience different cultures. However, this would only be possible if people could communicate and understand each other's experiences. This would promote multiculturalism and a socially tolerant, diverse society.

The economy would also benefit by facilitating international trade and increasing market accessibility. According to an index<ref>Lohmann, J. “Do Language Barriers Affect Trade?” 110.2 (2011): 159–162. Web. 27 February 2021.</ref> called the "Language Barrier Index" (LBI), which measures the extent of the language barrier between trading partners, linguistic dissimilarities can impact trade. The index shows that even a 10% increase in the LBI can cause a 7% to 10% decrease in trade between countries. A common language can also eliminate the need for translators, resulting in a smoother transaction and negotiation process. There would be no need for multilingual languages and translation services, which are considered additional costs. Businesses would also have a broader reach and be able to access more customers.

Many times, when a company enters another country’s market, they face financial losses and damaged reputations due to mistranslated campaigns. For example, HSBC<ref>BBC. (n.d.). Six epic translation fails. BBC. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2YYBmQsxxB9TFLbd9gKRwpn/six-epic-translation-fails</nowiki></ref> had to pay an additional 10 million to rebrand when their tagline "Assume Nothing" was translated into multiple languages as "Do Nothing." Many brands have also made the mistake of mistranslating into Chinese. One such case is Pepsi<ref>Seatongue. (n.d.). Famous brands that failed due to translation errors. Seatongue. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://seatongue.com/blog/famous-brands-that-failed-due-to-translation-errors</nowiki></ref>, whose slogan "Come Alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation" was translated into "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave," which inevitably slowed their entry into the Chinese market. This highlights the importance of accurate translation, as incorrect translations can negatively impact a business both financially and reputationally.

A universal language can also promote increased innovation and global collaboration by enabling interdisciplinary teamwork. Researchers and academics can facilitate international research collaboration, faster exchange of knowledge, and enhanced open-source innovation. By being able to understand each other, experts can continuously share and build on each other's ideas. This would also prevent redundancy in research while allowing for the application of new knowledge. Researchers would also be encouraged to attend international summits, leading to more exchange of ideas. Many revolutionary findings and inventions have only been possible because a group of internationally diverse experts came together to solve a problem. We are now living in the information age, where the exchange of ideas can happen via computers. For example, the largest open-source platform, GitHub, and projects like Linux and TensorFlow are only possible because of communication through a shared language.

'''On the Story'''

As seen in the story, many countries worked together to adopt and achieve one language. In order to trade and advance their economies, they recognized the importance of being able to communicate efficiently and prevent miscommunication. To strive for a perfect society, they had to eliminate the old languages to ensure transparency across all cultures and ethnic groups. By doing so, they reduced ethnic division and encouraged cultural exchange.

'''<big>Dystopia</big>'''

'''Cultural and Individualism'''

Language is not just defined as a tool of communication, but also as a way to define an individual. One universal language could lead to the loss of cultural diversity and individual identity. Language is a significant part of culture, shaping how people interact with each other and how they view the world. For example, many Asian countries have strong values regarding hierarchy and respecting those who are older, which is reflected in how people address someone older than themselves. In Korea, an older brother is addressed as either "hyung" or "oppa," while an older sister is called "noona" or "eonni." People tend not to call someone directly by their given name out of respect.

Another example of how language reflects culture is how the Inuit people have many words for snow, demonstrating its cultural and environmental significance. Additionally, a person can often be easily identified by their background based on the way they speak, their accent, and the slang they use. How people act and their perception of reality can also be influenced by language. For example, languages like English, which have the word "will" to indicate the future tense, can lead to a different perception of upcoming events compared to languages like German, which does not use a future tense in the same way. English also tends to be more direct and straightforward in communication, unlike the indirect style often found in many Asian languages, which reflects the cultural norms of their speakers.

'''Suppression'''

Languages have also been used as a powerful tool by governments to suppress their own people or, more commonly, a minority group. It is a tool for propaganda, controlling thought, and maintaining power. Authoritarian regimes<ref>O'Neill, A. K. (2023). ''Regime type, censorship, and trust in government with a special look at China''. Gettysburg College.</ref>, like North Korea, for example, have used strict surveillance systems to monitor communication and ensure that discussions about the Kim family are approved by the government. They also prevent any mention of democracy or capitalism from spreading. There are also multiple examples of countries censoring words to control the public, such as China banning the words "Tiananmen Square" and "democracy movement." Language is not only used to share ideas, but also to incite movements and encourage freedom of expression.

Countries have also tried to suppress a minority group's language as a means of control, to promote assimilation, and to suppress cultural and political movements. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, America<ref>U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). ''Federal Indian boarding school initiative''. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.doi.gov/priorities/strengthening-indian-country/federal-indian-boarding-school-initiative</nowiki></ref> enforced policies to force thousands of Native Americans to assimilate into American culture. In doing so, many indigenous languages were lost, and Native Americans were forced to learn English. This was done by requiring Native American children to attend boarding schools, where they learned English and were not allowed to speak their native languages. Many were often abused in the process. The USA is not alone in this; countries like Turkey, France, and China have, at different points in history, tried to enforce one language in the name of unity as a way to control minority groups. Often, this involved violence and was done involuntarily.

'''George Orwell's 1984'''<ref>[[A transparent world|A transparent world - glossaLAB]]</ref>

The novel ''1984'' presents a dystopian world where transparency limits freedom. Language is used as a tool to control the people, who are governed by a totalitarian regime overseen by the Party and Big Brother. They employ an institution called the Thought Police to monitor citizens' thoughts and actions. In this world, Newspeak is the official language, and Orwell illustrates how the control of language can suppress freedom of thought and help the government maintain authority. Newspeak is designed to limit independent thought and the articulation of complex ideas. By restricting the vocabulary, the people are unable to conceive of rebellion, as they cannot express such thoughts or concepts. Additionally, words like "freedom" and "rebellion" are deliberately excluded from the language to prevent the spread of resistance ideologies. By enforcing this one language, the government exerts complete control over the thoughts of its citizens.

'''On The Story'''

The story initially presents a seemingly utopian society where everyone understands each other, and no one can hide their thoughts behind another language. However, it reveals a dystopian side in the end. The character reveals a dead language from their ancestors, a language they will never be able to learn. They have no cultural connection to the language. The government has also forcefully eradicated it, burning books and destroying any evidence of the old language.

<big>'''Conclusion and Personal Thoughts'''</big>

In conclusion, language is an important tool we use every day to express ideas, thoughts, and emotions. It is what makes us who we are. It is essential to maintain diversity, and that includes languages. Each language carries immense significance, reflecting the culture and history of its speakers. It is crucial to preserve one’s cultural language to understand where one comes from. Many languages have already been lost through forced integration or simply because there are not enough speakers to pass them down. There is so much beauty in how languages are created and formed, and it is a shame to lose this art. This has been a problem in many cultures, especially with the integration of English to encourage globalization. For example, in the Philippines, many young people no longer know words in Tagalog and only know their English translations. English has become the primary means of communication worldwide. In the age of communication and information, English has facilitated the spread of ideas and thought. However, this also prevents many English speakers from learning another language and stops them from learning their parents’ or ancestors’ mother tongue.

In Singapore<ref>Siemund, Peter and Lijun Li (2020) ‘Multilingualism and language policy in Singa-pore’, in: Henning Klöter and Mårten Söderblom Saarela (eds.) Language Diversity in the Sinophone World. London: Routledge, 205-228</ref>, for example, the government made it a priority to have its citizens speak English. Singapore is a multicultural country with four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. After gaining independence, Singapore focused on improving its economic situation. English was enforced by the government to attract foreign investment and position Singapore in the global market. They achieved this by making English the primary language in schools, ensuring that people from all ethnic backgrounds had access to it. All media was also presented in English. In the end, the government achieved its goal: Singapore became one of Asia's financial centers and experienced significant economic growth. The success of Singapore shows how a common language can unite a diverse population and improve economic development. However, it also highlights the negative impact it had on its local culture and many young generation losing their cultural identity and connection to their culture

I believe it is important to have a lingua franca<ref>Hjarvard, S. (n.d.). The globalization of language. Retrieved from <nowiki>https://denizo.opia.dk/la.trezorejo/alilingve/hjarvard.The.Globalization.of.Language.pdf</nowiki></ref>, and that more countries should incorporate English into their school curricula. Advancement is only possible when everyone can communicate and exchange ideas in a universal language. However, there needs to be a balance. It is also important to preserve one's own cultural language to promote individualism and encourage independent thought. A perfect society should maintain a harmony between the need for communication and the preservation of cultural identities and without losing the diverse histories and languages.

Draft:A unified language

2025-01-05T22:41:45Z

Sheila Gabe:

'''Abstract'''

The idea of one unified language has been introduced by many philosophers, each with contrasting views. For example, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the German philosopher, thought of the Universal Characteristic<ref>Leibniz, G. W. (1703). ''New Essays on Human Understanding''. (A. G. Langley, Trans.). Cambridge University Press, 1981.</ref> (Characteristica Universalis), a universal logical language designed for reasoning, to help comprehend scientific and philosophical ideas. Leibniz believed that a common language would facilitate better communication of knowledge and ideas across different cultures, helping humanity progress in science and philosophy. Thomas More also discussed a universal language in his book ''Utopia''<ref>Zhou, G. (2011). The Language of Utopia. In: Placing the Modern Chinese Vernacular in Transnational Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. </ref> (1516). In this work, he describes a society where everyone speaks the same language with no dialect, which reflects the views of the society and promotes equality and unity. In contrast, in his essay ''The Analytical Language of John Wilkins'', Jorge Luis Borges<ref>Borges, J. L. (2007). The analytical language of John Wilkins. In A. Reid (Ed.), ''Labyrinths: Selected stories and other writings'' (pp. 249-256). New York Review of Books</ref> presents a dystopian view of a universal language, highlighting the loss of individual perspective and the control over thought. Borges shows a Universal Language would turn complex thoughts and emotions to rigid structures.

'''<big>The Language</big>'''

''Every sign on the street, every menu in a restaurant, and every poster in the world, I would be able to read. I could be on the other side of the world, take a train, and if I locked eyes with a stranger, I could easily start a conversation about the weather or ask for directions without any problem communicating. I am not a linguist or a polyglot, but the world today consists of just one language. Every government in the world has made their people speak one unified language. Every film is made in the Language. Every song is sung in the Language. Every book is written in the Language. It can be heard and seen in every corner of the world.''

''The government has also ensured that no dialect or accent exists. This is to prevent any miscommunication or division in how people speak the Language and help unite people. The Language is heavily controlled by a group called the Language Society, which decides which new words may enter the Dictionary. Words not in the Dictionary are forbidden from use. This has been the norm for decades, as the goal of every country’s government was to maximize their economy and move toward globalization.''

''My grandpa's father was Filipino, and he was the last in our family to speak the language when he was young. However, as he grew older, he—like the rest of the world—soon forgot it, as the government sought to eradicate Tagalog and enforce The Language during his teenage years. They burned books and destroyed every trace of Tagalog in literature, films, and even songs, replacing everything with translated versions.''

''The only word he remembered was "Mahal," a word he used to call my great-grandmother in private until the day she passed. He shared this word with my grandpa, who passed it down to me. It remains the only connection we have to the language that was once ours.''

'''<big>Utopia</big>'''

A common and unified language can contribute significantly to the advancement of globalization, which in turn fosters better communication, economic progress, cultural exchange, and education. In both social and professional life, improved communication can lead to significant changes, increasing efficiency, driving improvements, and preventing mistakes. Many issues caused by miscommunication could be effectively avoided.

'''Miscommunication'''

According to a paper<ref>Abuarqoub, I. (2019). Language barriers to effective communication. Universidad del Zulia.</ref> published by the University of Zulia in Venezuela, language continues to remain a barrier in conveying messages to people in the era of globalization and communication. The paper highlights instances of the negative impact of language barriers. For example, it can cause difficulties in healthcare, preventing patients from receiving proper care from doctors and healthcare providers. Both patients and interpreters have voiced concerns about the inefficiencies in healthcare due to miscommunication, which leads to inferior patient assessments, misdiagnoses, a lack of understanding of the patient's health history and condition, and the risk of errors in prescribed treatments.

Additionally, the language barrier is evident in aviation, where there have been multiple examples of accidents and tragedies that could have been easily avoided with clear and proper communication. One such instance resulted in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. The Dutch captain of KLM announced, "We are now at takeoff." However, the Portuguese air traffic controller misinterpreted this to mean they were on standby for takeoff, while the captain intended to begin takeoff. This misunderstanding led to a collision with a 747 Pan Am plane that was on the runway, resulting in a combined total of 583 deaths from both planes. Due to both parties speaking a second language, English, the misunderstanding caused this tragic event. As a result, the aviation industry introduced a standardized universal terminology to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

'''Globalization'''

With one universal language, it would certainly encourage globalization across various sectors, bringing key benefits such as ease of communication, economic advancement, cultural exchange, further education and research, enhanced travel and tourism, and, lastly, aiding diplomacy and international relations.

With the ease of communication, everyone would be able to share their culture without the need for a translator. More people would be inclined to travel and explore without worrying about the language barrier. When one is able to explore and learn about other cultures, they tend to become more open-minded and empathetic. There would be less discrimination and fewer stereotypes when everyone can connect with each other, learn about one another personally, and experience different cultures. However, this would only be possible if people could communicate and understand each other's experiences. This would promote multiculturalism and a socially tolerant, diverse society.

The economy would also benefit by facilitating international trade and increasing market accessibility. According to an index<ref>Lohmann, J. “Do Language Barriers Affect Trade?” 110.2 (2011): 159–162. Web. 27 February 2021.</ref> called the "Language Barrier Index" (LBI), which measures the extent of the language barrier between trading partners, linguistic dissimilarities can impact trade. The index shows that even a 10% increase in the LBI can cause a 7% to 10% decrease in trade between countries. A common language can also eliminate the need for translators, resulting in a smoother transaction and negotiation process. There would be no need for multilingual languages and translation services, which are considered additional costs. Businesses would also have a broader reach and be able to access more customers.

Many times, when a company enters another country’s market, they face financial losses and damaged reputations due to mistranslated campaigns. For example, HSBC<ref>BBC. (n.d.). Six epic translation fails. BBC. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2YYBmQsxxB9TFLbd9gKRwpn/six-epic-translation-fails</nowiki></ref> had to pay an additional 10 million to rebrand when their tagline "Assume Nothing" was translated into multiple languages as "Do Nothing." Many brands have also made the mistake of mistranslating into Chinese. One such case is Pepsi<ref>Seatongue. (n.d.). Famous brands that failed due to translation errors. Seatongue. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://seatongue.com/blog/famous-brands-that-failed-due-to-translation-errors</nowiki></ref>, whose slogan "Come Alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation" was translated into "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave," which inevitably slowed their entry into the Chinese market. This highlights the importance of accurate translation, as incorrect translations can negatively impact a business both financially and reputationally.

A universal language can also promote increased innovation and global collaboration by enabling interdisciplinary teamwork. Researchers and academics can facilitate international research collaboration, faster exchange of knowledge, and enhanced open-source innovation. By being able to understand each other, experts can continuously share and build on each other's ideas. This would also prevent redundancy in research while allowing for the application of new knowledge. Researchers would also be encouraged to attend international summits, leading to more exchange of ideas. Many revolutionary findings and inventions have only been possible because a group of internationally diverse experts came together to solve a problem. We are now living in the information age, where the exchange of ideas can happen via computers. For example, the largest open-source platform, GitHub, and projects like Linux and TensorFlow are only possible because of communication through a shared language.

'''On the Story'''

As seen in the story, many countries worked together to adopt and achieve one language. In order to trade and advance their economies, they recognized the importance of being able to communicate efficiently and prevent miscommunication. To strive for a perfect society, they had to eliminate the old languages to ensure transparency across all cultures and ethnic groups. By doing so, they reduced ethnic division and encouraged cultural exchange.

'''<big>Dystopia</big>'''

'''Cultural and Individualism'''

Language is not just defined as a tool of communication, but also as a way to define an individual. One universal language could lead to the loss of cultural diversity and individual identity. Language is a significant part of culture, shaping how people interact with each other and how they view the world. For example, many Asian countries have strong values regarding hierarchy and respecting those who are older, which is reflected in how people address someone older than themselves. In Korea, an older brother is addressed as either "hyung" or "oppa," while an older sister is called "noona" or "eonni." People tend not to call someone directly by their given name out of respect.

Another example of how language reflects culture is how the Inuit people have many words for snow, demonstrating its cultural and environmental significance. Additionally, a person can often be easily identified by their background based on the way they speak, their accent, and the slang they use. How people act and their perception of reality can also be influenced by language. For example, languages like English, which have the word "will" to indicate the future tense, can lead to a different perception of upcoming events compared to languages like German, which does not use a future tense in the same way. English also tends to be more direct and straightforward in communication, unlike the indirect style often found in many Asian languages, which reflects the cultural norms of their speakers.

'''Suppression'''

Languages have also been used as a powerful tool by governments to suppress their own people or, more commonly, a minority group. It is a tool for propaganda, controlling thought, and maintaining power. Authoritarian regimes<ref>O'Neill, A. K. (2023). ''Regime type, censorship, and trust in government with a special look at China''. Gettysburg College.</ref>, like North Korea, for example, have used strict surveillance systems to monitor communication and ensure that discussions about the Kim family are approved by the government. They also prevent any mention of democracy or capitalism from spreading. There are also multiple examples of countries censoring words to control the public, such as China banning the words "Tiananmen Square" and "democracy movement." Language is not only used to share ideas, but also to incite movements and encourage freedom of expression.

Countries have also tried to suppress a minority group's language as a means of control, to promote assimilation, and to suppress cultural and political movements. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, America<ref>U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). ''Federal Indian boarding school initiative''. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.doi.gov/priorities/strengthening-indian-country/federal-indian-boarding-school-initiative</nowiki></ref> enforced policies to force thousands of Native Americans to assimilate into American culture. In doing so, many indigenous languages were lost, and Native Americans were forced to learn English. This was done by requiring Native American children to attend boarding schools, where they learned English and were not allowed to speak their native languages. Many were often abused in the process. The USA is not alone in this; countries like Turkey, France, and China have, at different points in history, tried to enforce one language in the name of unity as a way to control minority groups. Often, this involved violence and was done involuntarily.

'''George Orwell's 1984'''<ref>[[A transparent world|A transparent world - glossaLAB]]</ref>

The novel ''1984'' presents a dystopian world where transparency limits freedom. Language is used as a tool to control the people, who are governed by a totalitarian regime overseen by the Party and Big Brother. They employ an institution called the Thought Police to monitor citizens' thoughts and actions. In this world, Newspeak is the official language, and Orwell illustrates how the control of language can suppress freedom of thought and help the government maintain authority. Newspeak is designed to limit independent thought and the articulation of complex ideas. By restricting the vocabulary, the people are unable to conceive of rebellion, as they cannot express such thoughts or concepts. Additionally, words like "freedom" and "rebellion" are deliberately excluded from the language to prevent the spread of resistance ideologies. By enforcing this one language, the government exerts complete control over the thoughts of its citizens.

'''On The Story'''

The story initially presents a seemingly utopian society where everyone understands each other, and no one can hide their thoughts behind another language. However, it reveals a dystopian side in the end. The character reveals a dead language from their ancestors, a language they will never be able to learn. They have no cultural connection to the language. The government has also forcefully eradicated it, burning books and destroying any evidence of the old language.

<big>'''Conclusion and Personal Thoughts'''</big>

In conclusion, language is an important tool we use every day to express ideas, thoughts, and emotions. It is what makes us who we are. It is essential to maintain diversity, and that includes languages. Each language carries immense significance, reflecting the culture and history of its speakers. It is crucial to preserve one’s cultural language to understand where one comes from. Many languages have already been lost through forced integration or simply because there are not enough speakers to pass them down. There is so much beauty in how languages are created and formed, and it is a shame to lose this art. This has been a problem in many cultures, especially with the integration of English to encourage globalization. For example, in the Philippines, many young people no longer know words in Tagalog and only know their English translations. English has become the primary means of communication worldwide. In the age of communication and information, English has facilitated the spread of ideas and thought. However, this also prevents many English speakers from learning another language and stops them from learning their parents’ or ancestors’ mother tongue.

In Singapore<ref>Tan, S. (2020). ''Language policy in Singapore: English as a tool for economic development and national unity''. Singapore Journal of Political Science, 48(2), 45-58.</ref>, for example, the government made it a priority to have its citizens speak English. Singapore is a multicultural country with four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. After gaining independence, Singapore focused on improving its economic situation. English was enforced by the government to attract foreign investment and position Singapore in the global market. They achieved this by making English the primary language in schools, ensuring that people from all ethnic backgrounds had access to it. All media was also presented in English. In the end, the government achieved its goal: Singapore became one of Asia's financial centers and experienced significant economic growth. The success of Singapore shows how a common language can unite a diverse population and improve economic development. However, it also highlights the negative impact it had on its local culture and many young generation losing their cultural identity and connection to their culture

I believe it is important to have a lingua franca<ref>Hjarvard, S. (n.d.). The globalization of language. Retrieved from <nowiki>https://denizo.opia.dk/la.trezorejo/alilingve/hjarvard.The.Globalization.of.Language.pdf</nowiki></ref>, and that more countries should incorporate English into their school curricula. Advancement is only possible when everyone can communicate and exchange ideas in a universal language. However, there needs to be a balance. It is also important to preserve one's own cultural language to promote individualism and encourage independent thought. A perfect society should maintain a harmony between the need for communication and the preservation of cultural identities and without losing the diverse histories and languages.

Draft:A unified language

2025-01-05T21:29:58Z

Sheila Gabe:

'''Abstract'''

The idea of one unified language has been introduced by many philosophers, each with contrasting views. For example, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the German philosopher, thought of the Universal Characteristic<ref>Leibniz, G. W. (1703). ''New Essays on Human Understanding''. (A. G. Langley, Trans.). Cambridge University Press, 1981.</ref> (Characteristica Universalis), a universal logical language designed for reasoning, to help comprehend scientific and philosophical ideas. Leibniz believed that a common language would facilitate better communication of knowledge and ideas across different cultures, helping humanity progress in science and philosophy. Thomas More also discussed a universal language in his book ''Utopia''<ref>Zhou, G. (2011). The Language of Utopia. In: Placing the Modern Chinese Vernacular in Transnational Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. </ref> (1516). In this work, he describes a society where everyone speaks the same language with no dialect, which reflects the views of the society and promotes equality and unity. In contrast, in his essay ''The Analytical Language of John Wilkins'', Jorge Luis Borges<ref>Borges, J. L. (2007). The analytical language of John Wilkins. In A. Reid (Ed.), ''Labyrinths: Selected stories and other writings'' (pp. 249-256). New York Review of Books</ref> presents a dystopian view of a universal language, highlighting the loss of individual perspective and the control over thought. Borges shows a Universal Language would turn complex thoughts and emotions to rigid structures.

'''<big>The Language</big>'''

''Every sign on the street, every menu in a restaurant, and every poster in the world, I would be able to read. I could be on the other side of the world, take a train, and if I locked eyes with a stranger, I could easily start a conversation about the weather or ask for directions without any problem communicating. I am not a linguist or a polyglot, but the world today consists of just one language. Every government in the world has made their people speak one unified language. Every film is made in the Language. Every song is sung in the Language. Every book is written in the Language. It can be heard and seen in every corner of the world.''

''The government has also ensured that no dialect or accent exists. This is to prevent any miscommunication or division in how people speak the Language and help unite people. The Language is heavily controlled by a group called the Language Society, which decides which new words may enter the Dictionary. Words not in the Dictionary are forbidden from use. This has been the norm for decades, as the goal of every country’s government was to maximize their economy and move toward globalization.''

''My grandpa's father was Filipino, and he was the last in our family to speak the language when he was young. However, as he grew older, he—like the rest of the world—soon forgot it, as the government sought to eradicate Tagalog and enforce The Language during his teenage years. They burned books and destroyed every trace of Tagalog in literature, films, and even songs, replacing everything with translated versions.''

''The only word he remembered was "Mahal," a word he used to call my great-grandmother in private until the day she passed. He shared this word with my grandpa, who passed it down to me. It remains the only connection we have to the language that was once ours.''

'''<big>Utopia</big>'''

A common and unified language can contribute significantly to the advancement of globalization, which in turn fosters better communication, economic progress, cultural exchange, and education. In both social and professional life, improved communication can lead to significant changes, increasing efficiency, driving improvements, and preventing mistakes. Many issues caused by miscommunication could be effectively avoided.

'''Miscommunication'''

According to a paper<ref>Abuarqoub, I. (2019). Language barriers to effective communication. Universidad del Zulia.</ref> published by the University of Zulia in Venezuela, language continues to remain a barrier in conveying messages to people in the era of globalization and communication. The paper highlights instances of the negative impact of language barriers. For example, it can cause difficulties in healthcare, preventing patients from receiving proper care from doctors and healthcare providers. Both patients and interpreters have voiced concerns about the inefficiencies in healthcare due to miscommunication, which leads to inferior patient assessments, misdiagnoses, a lack of understanding of the patient's health history and condition, and the risk of errors in prescribed treatments.

Additionally, the language barrier is evident in aviation, where there have been multiple examples of accidents and tragedies that could have been easily avoided with clear and proper communication. One such instance resulted in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. The Dutch captain of KLM announced, "We are now at takeoff." However, the Portuguese air traffic controller misinterpreted this to mean they were on standby for takeoff, while the captain intended to begin takeoff. This misunderstanding led to a collision with a 747 Pan Am plane that was on the runway, resulting in a combined total of 583 deaths from both planes. Due to both parties speaking a second language, English, the misunderstanding caused this tragic event. As a result, the aviation industry introduced a standardized universal terminology to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

'''Globalization'''

With one universal language, it would certainly encourage globalization across various sectors, bringing key benefits such as ease of communication, economic integration, cultural exchange, further education and research, enhanced travel and tourism, and, lastly, aiding diplomacy and international relations.

With the ease of communication, everyone would be able to share their culture without the need for a translator. More people would be inclined to travel and explore without worrying about the language barrier. When one is able to explore and learn about other cultures, they tend to become more open-minded and empathetic. There would be less discrimination and fewer stereotypes when everyone can connect with each other, learn about one another personally, and experience different cultures. However, this would only be possible if people could communicate and understand each other's experiences. This would promote multiculturalism and a socially tolerant, diverse society.

The economy would also benefit by facilitating international trade and increasing market accessibility. According to an index<ref>Lohmann, J. “Do Language Barriers Affect Trade?” 110.2 (2011): 159–162. Web. 27 February 2021.</ref> called the "Language Barrier Index" (LBI), which measures the extent of the language barrier between trading partners, linguistic dissimilarities can impact trade. The index shows that even a 10% increase in the LBI can cause a 7% to 10% decrease in trade between countries. A common language can also eliminate the need for translators, resulting in a smoother transaction and negotiation process. There would be no need for multilingual languages and translation services, which are considered additional costs. Businesses would also have a broader reach and be able to access more customers.

Many times, when a company enters another country’s market, they face financial losses and damaged reputations due to mistranslated campaigns. For example, HSBC<ref>BBC. (n.d.). Six epic translation fails. BBC. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2YYBmQsxxB9TFLbd9gKRwpn/six-epic-translation-fails</nowiki></ref> had to pay an additional 10 million to rebrand when their tagline "Assume Nothing" was translated into multiple languages as "Do Nothing." Many brands have also made the mistake of mistranslating into Chinese. One such case is Pepsi<ref>Seatongue. (n.d.). Famous brands that failed due to translation errors. Seatongue. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://seatongue.com/blog/famous-brands-that-failed-due-to-translation-errors</nowiki></ref>, whose slogan "Come Alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation" was translated into "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave," which inevitably slowed their entry into the Chinese market. This highlights the importance of accurate translation, as incorrect translations can negatively impact a business both financially and reputationally.

A universal language can also promote increased innovation and global collaboration by enabling interdisciplinary teamwork. Researchers and academics can facilitate international research collaboration, faster exchange of knowledge, and enhanced open-source innovation. By being able to understand each other, experts can continuously share and build on each other's ideas. This would also prevent redundancy in research while allowing for the application of new knowledge. Researchers would also be encouraged to attend international summits, leading to more exchange of ideas. Many revolutionary findings and inventions have only been possible because a group of internationally diverse experts came together to solve a problem. We are now living in the information age, where the exchange of ideas can happen via computers. For example, the largest open-source platform, GitHub, and projects like Linux and TensorFlow are only possible because of communication through a shared language.

'''On the Story'''

As seen in the story, many countries worked together to adopt and achieve one language. In order to trade and advance their economies, they recognized the importance of being able to communicate efficiently and prevent miscommunication. To strive for a perfect society, they had to eliminate the old languages to ensure transparency across all cultures and ethnic groups. By doing so, they reduced ethnic division and encouraged cultural exchange.

'''<big>Dystopia</big>'''

'''Cultural and Individualism'''

Language is not just defined as a tool of communication, but also as a way to define an individual. One universal language could lead to the loss of cultural diversity and individual identity. Language is a significant part of culture, shaping how people interact with each other and how they view the world. For example, many Asian countries have strong values regarding hierarchy and respecting those who are older, which is reflected in how people address someone older than themselves. In Korea, an older brother is addressed as either "hyung" or "oppa," while an older sister is called "noona" or "eonni." People tend not to call someone directly by their given name out of respect.

Another example of how language reflects culture is how the Inuit people have many words for snow, demonstrating its cultural and environmental significance. Additionally, a person can often be easily identified by their background based on the way they speak, their accent, and the slang they use. How people act and their perception of reality can also be influenced by language. For example, languages like English, which have the word "will" to indicate the future tense, can lead to a different perception of upcoming events compared to languages like German, which does not use a future tense in the same way. English also tends to be more direct and straightforward in communication, unlike the indirect style often found in many Asian languages, which reflects the cultural norms of their speakers.

'''Suppression'''

Languages have also been used as a powerful tool by governments to suppress their own people or, more commonly, a minority group. It is a tool for propaganda, controlling thought, and maintaining power. Authoritarian regimes<ref>O'Neill, A. K. (2023). ''Regime type, censorship, and trust in government with a special look at China''. Gettysburg College.</ref>, like North Korea, for example, have used strict surveillance systems to monitor communication and ensure that discussions about the Kim family are approved by the government. They also prevent any mention of democracy or capitalism from spreading. There are also multiple examples of countries censoring words to control the public, such as China banning the words "Tiananmen Square" and "democracy movement." Language is not only used to share ideas, but also to incite movements and encourage freedom of expression.

Countries have also tried to suppress a minority group's language as a means of control, to promote assimilation, and to suppress cultural and political movements. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, America<ref>U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). ''Federal Indian boarding school initiative''. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.doi.gov/priorities/strengthening-indian-country/federal-indian-boarding-school-initiative</nowiki></ref> enforced policies to force thousands of Native Americans to assimilate into American culture. In doing so, many indigenous languages were lost, and Native Americans were forced to learn English. This was done by requiring Native American children to attend boarding schools, where they learned English and were not allowed to speak their native languages. Many were often abused in the process. The USA is not alone in this; countries like Turkey, France, and China have, at different points in history, tried to enforce one language in the name of unity as a way to control minority groups. Often, this involved violence and was done involuntarily.

'''George Orwell's 1984'''<ref>[[A transparent world|A transparent world - glossaLAB]]</ref>

The novel ''1984'' presents a dystopian world where transparency limits freedom. Language is used as a tool to control the people, who are governed by a totalitarian regime overseen by the Party and Big Brother. They employ an institution called the Thought Police to monitor citizens' thoughts and actions. In this world, Newspeak is the official language, and Orwell illustrates how the control of language can suppress freedom of thought and help the government maintain authority. Newspeak is designed to limit independent thought and the articulation of complex ideas. By restricting the vocabulary, the people are unable to conceive of rebellion, as they cannot express such thoughts or concepts. Additionally, words like "freedom" and "rebellion" are deliberately excluded from the language to prevent the spread of resistance ideologies. By enforcing this one language, the government exerts complete control over the thoughts of its citizens.

'''On The Story'''

The story initially presents a seemingly utopian society where everyone understands each other, and no one can hide their thoughts behind another language. However, it reveals a dystopian side in the end. The character reveals a dead language from their ancestors, a language they will never be able to learn. They have no cultural connection to the language. The government has also forcefully eradicated it, burning books and destroying any evidence of the old language.

<big>'''Conclusion and Personal Thoughts'''</big>

In conclusion, language is an important tool we use every day to express ideas, thoughts, and emotions. It is what makes us who we are. It is essential to maintain diversity, and that includes languages. Each language carries immense significance, reflecting the culture and history of its speakers. It is crucial to preserve one’s cultural language to understand where one comes from. Many languages have already been lost through forced integration or simply because there are not enough speakers to pass them down. There is so much beauty in how languages are created and formed, and it is a shame to lose this art. This has been a problem in many cultures, especially with the integration of English to encourage globalization. For example, in the Philippines, many young people no longer know words in Tagalog and only know their English translations. English has become the primary means of communication worldwide. In the age of communication and information, English has facilitated the spread of ideas and thought. However, this also prevents many English speakers from learning another language and stops them from learning their parents’ or ancestors’ mother tongue.

In Singapore<ref>Tan, S. (2020). ''Language policy in Singapore: English as a tool for economic development and national unity''. Singapore Journal of Political Science, 48(2), 45-58.</ref>, for example, the government made it a priority to have its citizens speak English. Singapore is a multicultural country with four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. After gaining independence, Singapore focused on improving its economic situation. English was enforced by the government to attract foreign investment and position Singapore in the global market. They achieved this by making English the primary language in schools, ensuring that people from all ethnic backgrounds had access to it. All media was also presented in English. In the end, the government achieved its goal: Singapore became one of Asia's financial centers and experienced significant economic growth. The success of Singapore shows how a common language can unite a diverse population and improve economic development. However, it also highlights the negative impact it had on its local culture and many young generation losing their cultural identity and connection to their culture

I believe it is important to have a lingua franca<ref>Hjarvard, S. (n.d.). The globalization of language. Retrieved from <nowiki>https://denizo.opia.dk/la.trezorejo/alilingve/hjarvard.The.Globalization.of.Language.pdf</nowiki></ref>, and that more countries should incorporate English into their school curricula. Advancement is only possible when everyone can communicate and exchange ideas in a universal language. However, there needs to be a balance. It is also important to preserve one's own cultural language to promote individualism and encourage independent thought. A perfect society should maintain a harmony between the need for communication and the preservation of cultural identities and without losing the diverse histories and languages.

Draft:A unified language

2025-01-05T21:26:08Z

Sheila Gabe:

'''Abstract'''

The idea of one unified language has been introduced by many philosophers, each with contrasting views. For example, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, the German philosopher, thought of the Universal Characteristic<ref>Leibniz, G. W. (1703). ''New Essays on Human Understanding''. (A. G. Langley, Trans.). Cambridge University Press, 1981.</ref> (Characteristica Universalis), a universal logical language designed for reasoning, to help comprehend scientific and philosophical ideas. Leibniz believed that a common language would facilitate better communication of knowledge and ideas across different cultures, helping humanity progress in science and philosophy. Thomas More also discussed a universal language in his book ''Utopia''<ref>Zhou, G. (2011). The Language of Utopia. In: Placing the Modern Chinese Vernacular in Transnational Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. </ref> (1516). In this work, he describes a society where everyone speaks the same language with no dialect, which reflects the views of the society and promotes equality and unity. In contrast, in his essay ''The Analytical Language of John Wilkins'', Jorge Luis Borges<ref>Borges, J. L. (2007). The analytical language of John Wilkins. In A. Reid (Ed.), ''Labyrinths: Selected stories and other writings'' (pp. 249-256). New York Review of Books</ref> presents a dystopian view of a universal language, highlighting the loss of individual perspective and the control over thought. Borges shows a Universal Language would turn complex thoughts and emotions to rigid structures.

'''<big>The Language</big>'''

''Every sign on the street, every menu in a restaurant, and every poster in the world, I would be able to read. I could be on the other side of the world, take a train, and if I locked eyes with a stranger, I could easily start a conversation about the weather or ask for directions without any problem communicating. I am not a linguist or a polyglot, but the world today consists of just one language. Every government in the world has made their people speak one unified language. Every film is made in the Language. Every song is sung in the Language. Every book is written in the Language. It can be heard and seen in every corner of the world.''

''The government has also ensured that no dialect or accent exists. This is to prevent any miscommunication or division in how people speak the Language and help unite people. The Language is heavily controlled by a group called the Language Society, which decides which new words may enter the Dictionary. Words not in the Dictionary are forbidden from use. This has been the norm for decades, as the goal of every country’s government was to maximize their economy and move toward globalization.''

''My grandpa's father was Filipino, and he was the last in our family to speak the language when he was young. However, as he grew older, he—like the rest of the world—soon forgot it, as the government sought to eradicate Tagalog and enforce The Language during his teenage years. They burned books and destroyed every trace of Tagalog in literature, films, and even songs, replacing everything with translated versions.''

''The only word he remembered was "Mahal," a word he used to call my great-grandmother in private until the day she passed. He shared this word with my grandpa, who passed it down to me. It remains the only connection we have to the language that was once ours.''

'''<big>Utopia</big>'''

A common and unified language can contribute significantly to the advancement of globalization, which in turn fosters better communication, economic progress, cultural exchange, and education. In both social and professional life, improved communication can lead to significant changes, increasing efficiency, driving improvements, and preventing mistakes. Many issues caused by miscommunication could be effectively avoided.

'''Miscommunication'''

According to a paper<ref>Abuarqoub, I. (2019). Language barriers to effective communication. Universidad del Zulia.</ref> published by the University of Zulia in Venezuela, language continues to remain a barrier in conveying messages to people in the era of globalization and communication. The paper highlights instances of the negative impact of language barriers. For example, it can cause difficulties in healthcare, preventing patients from receiving proper care from doctors and healthcare providers. Both patients and interpreters have voiced concerns about the inefficiencies in healthcare due to miscommunication, which leads to inferior patient assessments, misdiagnoses, a lack of understanding of the patient's health history and condition, and the risk of errors in prescribed treatments.

Additionally, the language barrier is evident in aviation, where there have been multiple examples of accidents and tragedies that could have been easily avoided with clear and proper communication. One such instance resulted in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. The Dutch captain of KLM announced, "We are now at takeoff." However, the Portuguese air traffic controller misinterpreted this to mean they were on standby for takeoff, while the captain intended to begin takeoff. This misunderstanding led to a collision with a 747 Pan Am plane that was on the runway, resulting in a combined total of 583 deaths from both planes. Due to both parties speaking a second language, English, the misunderstanding caused this tragic event. As a result, the aviation industry introduced a standardized universal terminology to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

'''Globalization'''

With one universal language, it would certainly encourage globalization across various sectors, bringing key benefits such as ease of communication, economic integration, cultural exchange, further education and research, enhanced travel and tourism, and, lastly, aiding diplomacy and international relations.

With the ease of communication, everyone would be able to share their culture without the need for a translator. More people would be inclined to travel and explore without worrying about the language barrier. When one is able to explore and learn about other cultures, they tend to become more open-minded and empathetic. There would be less discrimination and fewer stereotypes when everyone can connect with each other, learn about one another personally, and experience different cultures. However, this would only be possible if people could communicate and understand each other's experiences. This would promote multiculturalism and a socially tolerant, diverse society.

The economy would also benefit by facilitating international trade and increasing market accessibility. According to an index<ref>[https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/langue-internationale-global-language-eng?utm_source=chatgpt.com Lohmann, J. “Do Language Barriers Affect Trade?” 110.2 (2011): 159–162. Web. 27 February 2021.]</ref> called the "Language Barrier Index" (LBI), which measures the extent of the language barrier between trading partners, linguistic dissimilarities can impact trade. The index shows that even a 10% increase in the LBI can cause a 7% to 10% decrease in trade between countries. A common language can also eliminate the need for translators, resulting in a smoother transaction and negotiation process. There would be no need for multilingual languages and translation services, which are considered additional costs. Businesses would also have a broader reach and be able to access more customers.

Many times, when a company enters another country’s market, they face financial losses and damaged reputations due to mistranslated campaigns. For example, HSBC<ref>BBC. (n.d.). Six epic translation fails. BBC. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2YYBmQsxxB9TFLbd9gKRwpn/six-epic-translation-fails</nowiki></ref> had to pay an additional 10 million to rebrand when their tagline "Assume Nothing" was translated into multiple languages as "Do Nothing." Many brands have also made the mistake of mistranslating into Chinese. One such case is Pepsi<ref>Seatongue. (n.d.). Famous brands that failed due to translation errors. Seatongue. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://seatongue.com/blog/famous-brands-that-failed-due-to-translation-errors</nowiki></ref>, whose slogan "Come Alive! You're in the Pepsi Generation" was translated into "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave," which inevitably slowed their entry into the Chinese market. This highlights the importance of accurate translation, as incorrect translations can negatively impact a business both financially and reputationally.

A universal language can also promote increased innovation and global collaboration by enabling interdisciplinary teamwork. Researchers and academics can facilitate international research collaboration, faster exchange of knowledge, and enhanced open-source innovation. By being able to understand each other, experts can continuously share and build on each other's ideas. This would also prevent redundancy in research while allowing for the application of new knowledge. Researchers would also be encouraged to attend international summits, leading to more exchange of ideas. Many revolutionary findings and inventions have only been possible because a group of internationally diverse experts came together to solve a problem. We are now living in the information age, where the exchange of ideas can happen via computers. For example, the largest open-source platform, GitHub, and projects like Linux and TensorFlow are only possible because of communication through a shared language.

'''On the Story'''

As seen in the story, many countries worked together to adopt and achieve one language. In order to trade and advance their economies, they recognized the importance of being able to communicate efficiently and prevent miscommunication. To strive for a perfect society, they had to eliminate the old languages to ensure transparency across all cultures and ethnic groups. By doing so, they reduced ethnic division and encouraged cultural exchange.

'''<big>Dystopia</big>'''

'''Cultural and Individualism'''

Language is not just defined as a tool of communication, but also as a way to define an individual. One universal language could lead to the loss of cultural diversity and individual identity. Language is a significant part of culture, shaping how people interact with each other and how they view the world. For example, many Asian countries have strong values regarding hierarchy and respecting those who are older, which is reflected in how people address someone older than themselves. In Korea, an older brother is addressed as either "hyung" or "oppa," while an older sister is called "noona" or "eonni." People tend not to call someone directly by their given name out of respect.

Another example of how language reflects culture is how the Inuit people have many words for snow, demonstrating its cultural and environmental significance. Additionally, a person can often be easily identified by their background based on the way they speak, their accent, and the slang they use. How people act and their perception of reality can also be influenced by language. For example, languages like English, which have the word "will" to indicate the future tense, can lead to a different perception of upcoming events compared to languages like German, which does not use a future tense in the same way. English also tends to be more direct and straightforward in communication, unlike the indirect style often found in many Asian languages, which reflects the cultural norms of their speakers.

'''Suppression'''

Languages have also been used as a powerful tool by governments to suppress their own people or, more commonly, a minority group. It is a tool for propaganda, controlling thought, and maintaining power. Authoritarian regimes<ref>O'Neill, A. K. (2023). ''Regime type, censorship, and trust in government with a special look at China''. Gettysburg College.</ref>, like North Korea, for example, have used strict surveillance systems to monitor communication and ensure that discussions about the Kim family are approved by the government. They also prevent any mention of democracy or capitalism from spreading. There are also multiple examples of countries censoring words to control the public, such as China banning the words "Tiananmen Square" and "democracy movement." Language is not only used to share ideas, but also to incite movements and encourage freedom of expression.

Countries have also tried to suppress a minority group's language as a means of control, to promote assimilation, and to suppress cultural and political movements. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, America<ref>U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). ''Federal Indian boarding school initiative''. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 2, 2025, from <nowiki>https://www.doi.gov/priorities/strengthening-indian-country/federal-indian-boarding-school-initiative</nowiki></ref> enforced policies to force thousands of Native Americans to assimilate into American culture. In doing so, many indigenous languages were lost, and Native Americans were forced to learn English. This was done by requiring Native American children to attend boarding schools, where they learned English and were not allowed to speak their native languages. Many were often abused in the process. The USA is not alone in this; countries like Turkey, France, and China have, at different points in history, tried to enforce one language in the name of unity as a way to control minority groups. Often, this involved violence and was done involuntarily.

'''George Orwell's 1984'''<ref>[[A transparent world|A transparent world - glossaLAB]]</ref>

The novel ''1984'' presents a dystopian world where transparency limits freedom. Language is used as a tool to control the people, who are governed by a totalitarian regime overseen by the Party and Big Brother. They employ an institution called the Thought Police to monitor citizens' thoughts and actions. In this world, Newspeak is the official language, and Orwell illustrates how the control of language can suppress freedom of thought and help the government maintain authority. Newspeak is designed to limit independent thought and the articulation of complex ideas. By restricting the vocabulary, the people are unable to conceive of rebellion, as they cannot express such thoughts or concepts. Additionally, words like "freedom" and "rebellion" are deliberately excluded from the language to prevent the spread of resistance ideologies. By enforcing this one language, the government exerts complete control over the thoughts of its citizens.

'''On The Story'''

The story initially presents a seemingly utopian society where everyone understands each other, and no one can hide their thoughts behind another language. However, it reveals a dystopian side in the end. The character reveals a dead language from their ancestors, a language they will never be able to learn. They have no cultural connection to the language. The government has also forcefully eradicated it, burning books and destroying any evidence of the old language.

<big>'''Conclusion and Personal Thoughts'''</big>

In conclusion, language is an important tool we use every day to express ideas, thoughts, and emotions. It is what makes us who we are. It is essential to maintain diversity, and that includes languages. Each language carries immense significance, reflecting the culture and history of its speakers. It is crucial to preserve one’s cultural language to understand where one comes from. Many languages have already been lost through forced integration or simply because there are not enough speakers to pass them down. There is so much beauty in how languages are created and formed, and it is a shame to lose this art. This has been a problem in many cultures, especially with the integration of English to encourage globalization. For example, in the Philippines, many young people no longer know words in Tagalog and only know their English translations. English has become the primary means of communication worldwide. In the age of communication and information, English has facilitated the spread of ideas and thought. However, this also prevents many English speakers from learning another language and stops them from learning their parents’ or ancestors’ mother tongue.

In Singapore<ref>Tan, S. (2020). ''Language policy in Singapore: English as a tool for economic development and national unity''. Singapore Journal of Political Science, 48(2), 45-58.</ref>, for example, the government made it a priority to have its citizens speak English. Singapore is a multicultural country with four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. After gaining independence, Singapore focused on improving its economic situation. English was enforced by the government to attract foreign investment and position Singapore in the global market. They achieved this by making English the primary language in schools, ensuring that people from all ethnic backgrounds had access to it. All media was also presented in English. In the end, the government achieved its goal: Singapore became one of Asia's financial centers and experienced significant economic growth. The success of Singapore shows how a common language can unite a diverse population and improve economic development. However, it also highlights the negative impact it had on its local culture and many young generation losing their cultural identity and connection to their culture

I believe it is important to have a lingua franca<ref>https://denizo.opia.dk/la.trezorejo/alilingve/hjarvard.The.Globalization.of.Language.pdf</ref>, and that more countries should incorporate English into their school curricula. Advancement is only possible when everyone can communicate and exchange ideas in a universal language. However, there needs to be a balance. It is also important to preserve one's own cultural language to promote individualism and encourage independent thought. A perfect society should maintain a harmony between the need for communication and the preservation of cultural identities and without losing the diverse histories and languages.

Draft:A unified language

2024-12-28T10:53:19Z

Sheila Gabe:

The Language

''Every sign in the street, every menu in a restaurant and every posters in the world I would be able to read. I can be in another side of the world and take a train and if I lock eyes with a stranger, i can easily start a conversation regarding the weather or asked for direction with no problem with communication. I am not a linguist or a polygot but the world today simply consist of one language. Every government in the World has made their people to speak one unified language, una lingua. Every filmed made are all made in the Language. Every song are sang in the Langauge. Every book are written in the Language. It can be heard and seen in every corners of the World. The government also also ensured that no dialect or accent exist as well. This is to ensure that there would be no miscommnication or divide between how poeple speak the Langauge. It is also heavily controlled by a group of the Language Society who decides on whatever new word most go in the Dictionary. What is not in the dictionary shall not be used. This has been so for decades, since the goal of each countries government was to maximaze their economy and move towards globalization.''

''My grandpa's father was Filipino and he was the last to speak the language when he was young. However, he later soon as well as the rest of the world have forgetten it as the filipino government tried to get rid of tagalog and enforced The language when he was just a teenager. They burned books and destroyed any traced of tagalog everywhere in books, films, and even songs and provided translated version for everthing. The only thing that he remembered was the word Mahal, which he told to my grandpa and he to me. This was the word the world that he called my great grandmother in private until she died.''

Utopia

A common and unified language can help towards advancement of globalization which in turn further communication, economic integration, cultural exchange and education. There are many factors in social as well as professional life where when communication is improved, would caused signification changes that would increase efficiency, see improvement and prevent mistakes. issues caused my communication can be prevented.

According to a paper done in University of Zulia in Venezuala, Language continues to remain a barrier to convey our messages to people in the globalization and communication era'. In the paper, it should instances of negative impact of language barrier. For example, it may cause difficulties in health care and prevent patients to recieved proper care from doctors and their health providers. Patients and interpreters have voiced out the ineffecient health care from miscommunicatoin that led to inferior patient assessment, misdiagoses, lack of understandind of the patients health history and conditon, and risk of errors in prescribed treeatment. In addition, the langauge barrier can be seen more so in Aviation, where they has been multiple examples of accidents and tragities which could have been easily avoided if clear and proper communation was provided.

Dystopia

Personal Thoughts

Draft:A unified language

2024-12-28T07:48:39Z

Sheila Gabe:

Draft:A unified language

2024-12-26T21:40:00Z

Sheila Gabe: Created page with "- a story about how a group of people come to meet and try to find lost books containing their language from the past to try to learned the lost langauge and continue to keep it alive. As in the future, in the hope of innovation and through globilization, english has become the one unified languge. Overtime, in hopes of each country improving their ecocnomy through tourism and encouraging work opportunieties for better equip workers. Countries have made it manditory for..."

- a story about how a group of people come to meet and try to find lost books containing their language from the past to try to learned the lost langauge and continue to keep it alive. As in the future, in the hope of innovation and through globilization, english has become the one unified languge. Overtime, in hopes of each country improving their ecocnomy through tourism and encouraging work opportunieties for better equip workers. Countries have made it manditory for their citizens to only speak english. All sign of the native languge in the streets, in books were replace. All the books of the old language was burned and replace with translated version of english.

- singapore has made it mandotory to have english

- theres been many commen language before that is now considered lost: latin

- example in the phillppines is been considered a problem that many dont speak pure tagalog, and many words are now being replaced by english

- theres a lost of culture

-the identity of people are tied as well to their langauge

-'''Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis'''

-'''Color Perception'''

one can see the culture through their language

-'''Social Norms and Values-- how some language dictate hierarchy and gender roles'''

* '''Linguistic Relativity''': Different languages may encourage different ways of thinking. For instance, languages that emphasize future time (like English) may lead speakers to think about future events differently than languages that do not (like Mandarin).
* '''Narrative Structures''': The way stories are told can vary by culture and language, influencing how individuals understand and interpret experiences. For example, some cultures may favor linear storytelling, while others may use more circular or non-linear narratives.
** '''Direct vs. Indirect Communication''': Cultures that use languages with direct communication styles (like English) may encourage straightforwardness and assertiveness, while those with more indirect styles (like many Asian cultures) may prioritize harmony and subtlety in interactions.
** '''Nonverbal Communication''': Language also encompasses nonverbal cues, which can vary significantly across cultures. Understanding these cues can affect interpersonal relationships and social interaction
** '''Preservation of Culture''': Language is a vehicle for transmitting cultural knowledge, traditions, and values. Indigenous languages, for example, often contain unique knowledge about local ecosystems and practices that are vital for cultural heritage.
** '''Globalization and Language Shift''': As dominant languages (like English) spread globally, local languages and cultures may diminish, affecting cultural diversity and individual identity.