SDLC 105 Learning Journal Post #9

[Layla Samandi لیلا سمندی]

I think it's really important to keep native languages alive, to preserve the cultural connections to the past. I had a conversation with my mother recently about how the older generations should teach the younger generations the native language. She doesn't think it's important -- she believes that it's better for the younger generation to assimilate into the majority culture. I disagree with her though, and this article demonstrates why. For history's sake, it's important to maintain language. Certain aspects of culture and tradition can only be kept alive through language, since culture and language are so closely entwined. The Siletz people, through their dictionary, are keeping the heritage of their ancestors alive, even when they have been threatened with oblivion so many times before. I really liked the story about the linguistics graduate student who is picking up Siletz. It shows that the language and culture of a group, no matter how small, can be shared with others and enrich their lives, even if they aren't connected to that culture through ethnic heritage, and demonstrates why keeping more languages alive enriches the world as well.