History is so important to language. History is why languages persist, why they die, and why we study what we study. I think that the entirety of academia is based on history; whether it be an historical accomplishment such as a mathematical theorem, a piece of literature, or a work of art. In this way, there is a sort of language to every subject. Language in its purest form of communication, spoken and written word is instrumental in life and is one of the qualities that makes us human, separating us from other living creatures and other mammals.
Our history as a species has evolved and with that evolution has come a progression of the ways in which we communicate with each other. Language has caused war, peace, and everything in between. It is arguable the reason for the divisions of territories and how countries have established a set a values and beliefs that shape their culture. A person's first language is responsible for lending a basis for meaning for everything that someone learns. You listen and interpret everything around you based on what you already know, so it makes sense that different people have different interpretations of texts, art, and situations just because of the nature of their first language.
Comments