Learning Journal #6

[Kaitlin Markoja]

In this week's reading, Crystal writes about the different theories of how language began, possible reasons for why and how language changes, and also how languages die.  I found the section about how languages die to be the most interesting.  Crystal makes a thought provoking statement when he writes, "A language only dies when the last person who speaks it dies. Or perhaps it dies when the second-last person who speaks it dies, for the there is no one left to talk to (336)."  I would perhaps agree more with the ladder, though technically with one speaker left, there could exist the possibility of passing the language on and keeping it alive.  Crystal shows that even dead languages can be resurrected, as with the South Australian language of Kaurna.  He also points out that this is no cheap task - all the linguists and dictionaries and learning materials add up to quite a hefty sum.  From a strictly practical perspective, I think it would be outrageous to spend the one billion dollars that Crystal roughly estimates language revival to cost.  If the purpose of language is to communicate, then it should not matter how many languages we use to communicate.  6 languages could accomplish what we now use 6000 for.  Again, from a practical standpoint, I don’t think it is necessary to fight the natural evolution of language.  From a less practical side though, language can be very intricately linked to culture and adds to the diversity of our world.  The quote from a man who was the last speaker of his tongue was haunting.  The man said, “When I think of my tongue being no longer alive in the mouths of men, a chill goes over me that is deeper than my own death, since it is gathered in the death of all my kind (342).”  The loss of a language can mean the loss of a culture, an end of community, and a reduction of diversity.