The Importance of Language

What is language

Language is the principal means of communication, a set of spoken or written words or gesticulations that have a common meaning among a group of people. There are many theories about the origin of language; the humanist theory for instance suggests that humans created language as a means to communicate ideas, being social creatures.^[1] Regardless of the origins, the fact remains that language has become an important aspect of our human existence.

Language has come to play an important role in our communication, sense and expression of identity, creativity and emotions.

Language and identity

Language plays an important role in identity as it is linked to pedigree. We usually learn the languages of our parents, and in tracing back the languages spoken by our ancestors we can get an insight about events that transpired in their times. Languages are sometimes formed in the association of two different cultures, it could also be the case that words are exchanged and assimilated into different cultures that they come to share many words. For example: many words in English were derived from French language which also evolved from Latin. Due to the significant role language plays in self-identification, we hold on to our mother tongues to preserve history and culture.

Language in Education

Language can be a major tool for the advancement of education, but it can also pose a barrier to entry as most knowledge relevant to the current time will be stored in the language of the ruling nations. Most scientific and philosophy textbooks have not been translated to most of the 7000 languages out there. Formal education usually begins with an introduction to the mechanics of a popular language like English, or Mandarin, and this learning continues even up to higher institution.

There is a salient threat to language with this approach, giving today’s world where parents don’t get to spend as much time with their children, and children are sent to school from as little as 2 years old, worsened by the fact that the parents then encourage the child to become proficient in the language taught in school. The child, given no opportunity to learn, cannot speak his mother tongue.

Preserving languages

The most common ways languages are preserved is transference from parent to child. This can actually be taken a step further as the limitations of this method has become evident in today’s society where many languages are becoming extinct.

Language experts can take a proactive route and transcribe important texts to their local languages and insist on these concepts to be taught in the local language. As language is essential in ensuring the continuation of culture, customs and history, more emphasis should be placed on young children learning their native tongue as well as the commonly accepted language.

The future of language

Having a common language is required for effective communication. Language unifies people, while a single universal language might not be a feasible position, there is a need to learn the common language will preserving native tongue.