#Language diversity

[amateurvoltaire]

I feel that one of the most overlooked aspects of studying the French Revolution is that, in 18th-century France, most people did not speak French. Yes, you read that correctly.

On 26 Prairial, Year II (14 June 1794), Abbé Henri Grégoire (1) stood before the Convention and delivered a report called The Report on the Necessity and Means of Annihilating Dialects and Universalising the Use of the French Language(2). This report, the culmination of a survey initiated four years earlier, sought to assess the state of languages in France. In 1790, Grégoire sent a 43-question survey to 49 informants across the departments, asking questions like: "Is the use of the French language universal in your area?" "Are one or more dialects spoken here?" and "What would be the religious and political impact of completely eradicating this dialect?"

The results were staggering. According to Grégoire's report:

“One can state without exaggeration that at least six million French people, especially in rural areas, do not know the national language; an equal number are more or less incapable of holding a sustained conversation; and, in the final analysis, those who speak it purely do not exceed three million; likely, even fewer write it correctly.” (3)

Considering that France’s population at the time was around 27 million, Grégoire’s assertion that 12 million people could barely hold a conversation in French is astonishing. This effectively meant that about 40% of the population couldn't communicate with the remaining 60%.

Now, it’s worth noting that Grégoire’s survey was heavily biased. His 49 informants (4) were educated men—clergy, lawyers, and doctors—likely sympathetic to his political views. Plus, the survey barely covered regions where dialects were close to standard French (the langue d’oïl areas) and focused heavily on the south and peripheral areas like Brittany, Flanders, and Alsace, where linguistic diversity was high.

Still, even if the numbers were inflated, the takeaway stands: a massive portion of France did not speak Standard French. “But surely,” you might ask, “they could understand each other somewhat, right? How different could those dialects really be?” Well, let’s put it this way: if Barère and Robespierre went to lunch and spoke in their regional dialects—Gascon and Picard, respectively—it wouldn’t be much of a conversation.

The linguistic make-up of France in 1790

The notion that barely anyone spoke French wasn’t new in the 1790s. The Ancien Régime had wrestled with it for centuries. The Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts, issued in 1539, mandated the use of French in legal proceedings, banning Latin and various dialects. In the 17th and 18th centuries, numerous royal edicts enforced French in newly conquered provinces. The founding of the Académie Française in 1634 furthered this control, as the Académie aimed to standardise French, cementing its status as the kingdom's official language.

Despite these efforts, Grégoire tells us that 40% of the population could barely speak a word of French. So, if they didn’t speak French, what did they speak? Let’s take a look.

In 1790, the old provinces of the Ancien Régime were disbanded, and 83 departments named after mountains and rivers took their place. These 83 departments provide a good illustration of the incredibly diverse linguistic make-up of France.

Langue d’oïl dialects dominated the north and centre, spoken in 44 out of the 83 departments (53%). These included Picard, Norman, Champenois, Burgundian, and others—dialects sharing roots in Old French. In the south, however, the Occitan language group took over, with dialects like Languedocien, Provençal, Gascon, Limousin, and Auvergnat, making up 28 departments (34%).

Beyond these main groups, three departments in Brittany spoke Breton, a Celtic language (4%), while Alsatian and German dialects were prevalent along the eastern border (another 4%). Basque was spoken in Basses-Pyrénées, Catalan in Pyrénées-Orientales, and Corsican in the Corse department.

From a government’s perspective, this was a bit of a nightmare.

Why is linguistic diversity a governmental nightmare?

In one word: communication—or the lack of it. Try running a country when half of it doesn’t know what you’re saying.

Now, in more academic terms...

Standardising a language usually serves two main purposes: functional efficiency and national identity. Functional efficiency is self-evident. Just as with the adoption of the metric system, suppressing linguistic variation was supposed to make communication easier, reducing costly misunderstandings.

That being said, the Revolution, at first, tried to embrace linguistic diversity. After all, Standard French was, frankly, “the King’s French” and thus intrinsically elitist—available only to those who had the money to learn it. In January 1790, the deputy François-Joseph Bouchette proposed that the National Assembly publish decrees in every language spoken across France. His reasoning? “Thus, everyone will be free to read and write in the language they prefer.”

A lovely idea, but it didn’t last long. While they made some headway in translating important decrees, they soon realised that translating everything into every dialect was expensive. On top of that, finding translators for obscure dialects was its own nightmare. And so, the Republic’s brief flirtation with multilingualism was shut down rather unceremoniously.

Now, on to the more fascinating reason for linguistic standardisation: national identity.

Language and Nation

One of the major shifts during the French Revolution was in the concept of nationhood. Today, there are many ideas about what a nation is (personally, I lean towards Benedict Anderson’s definition of a nation as an “imagined community”), but definitions aside, what’s clear is that the Revolution brought a seismic change in the notion of French identity. Under the Ancien Régime, the French nation was defined as a collective that owed allegiance to the king: “One faith, one law, one king.” But after 1789, a nation became something you were meant to want to belong to. That was problematic.

Now, imagine being a peasant in the newly-created department of Vendée. (Hello, Jacques!) Between tending crops and trying to avoid trouble, Jacques hasn’t spent much time pondering his national identity. Vendéen? Well, that’s just a random name some guy in Paris gave his region. French? Unlikely—he has as much in common with Gascons as he does with the English. A subject of the King? He probably couldn’t name which king.

So, what’s left? Jacques is probably thinking about what is around him: family ties and language. It's no coincidence that the ‘brigands’ in the Vendée organised around their parishes— that’s where their identity lay.

The Revolutionary Government knew this. The monarchy had understood it too and managed to use Catholicism to legitimise their rule. The Republic didn't have such a luxury. As such, the revolutionary government found itself with the impossible task of convincing Jacques he was, in fact, French.

How to do that? Step one: ensure Jacques can actually understand them. How to accomplish that? Naturally, by teaching him.

Language Education during the Revolution

Under the Ancien Régime, education varied wildly by class, and literacy rates were abysmal. Most commoners received basic literacy from parish and Jesuit schools, while the wealthy enjoyed private tutors. In 1791, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand (5) presented a report on education to the Constituent Assembly (6), remarking:

“A striking peculiarity of the state from which we have freed ourselves is undoubtedly that the national language, which daily extends its conquests beyond France’s borders, remains inaccessible to so many of its inhabitants." (7)

He then proposed a solution:

“Primary schools will end this inequality: the language of the Constitution and laws will be taught to all; this multitude of corrupt dialects, the last vestige of feudalism, will be compelled to disappear: circumstances demand it." (8)

A sensible plan in theory, and it garnered support from various Assembly members, Condorcet chief among them (which is always a good sign).

But, France went to war with most of Europe in 1792, making linguistic diversity both inconvenient and dangerous. Paranoia grew daily, and ensuring the government’s communications were understood by every citizen became essential. The reverse, ensuring they could understand every citizen, was equally pressing. Since education required time and money—two things the First Republic didn’t have—repression quickly became Plan B.

The War on Patois

This repression of regional languages was driven by more than abstract notions of nation-building; it was a matter of survival. After all, if Jacques the peasant didn’t see himself as French and wasn’t loyal to those shadowy figures in Paris, who would he turn to? The local lord, who spoke his dialect and whose land his family had worked for generations.

Faced with internal and external threats, the revolutionary government viewed linguistic unity as essential to the Republic’s survival. From 1793 onwards, language policy became increasingly repressive, targeting regional dialects as symbols of counter-revolution and federalist resistance. Bertrand Barère spearheaded this campaign, famously saying:

“Federalism and superstition speak Breton; emigration and hatred of the Republic speak German; counter-revolution speaks Italian, and fanaticism speaks Basque. Let us break these instruments of harm and error... Among a free people, the language must be one and the same for all.”

This, combined with Grégoire’s report, led to the Décret du 8 Pluviôse 1794, which mandated French-speaking teachers in every rural commune of departments where Breton, Italian, Basque, and German were the main languages.

Did it work? Hardly. The idea of linguistic standardisation through education was sound in principle, but France was broke, and schools cost money. Spoiler alert: France wouldn’t have a free, secular, and compulsory education system until the 1880s.

What it did accomplish, however, was two centuries of stigmatising patois and their speakers...

Notes

(1) Abbe Henri Grégoire was a French Catholic priest, revolutionary, and politician who championed linguistic and social reforms, notably advocating for the eradication of regional dialects to establish French as the national language during the French Revolution.

(2) "Sur la nécessité et les moyens d’anéantir les patois et d’universaliser l’usage de la langue francaise”

(3)On peut assurer sans exagération qu’au moins six millions de Français, sur-tout dans les campagnes, ignorent la langue nationale ; qu’un nombre égal est à-peu-près incapable de soutenir une conversation suivie ; qu’en dernier résultat, le nombre de ceux qui la parlent purement n’excède pas trois millions ; & probablement le nombre de ceux qui l’écrivent correctement est encore moindre.

(4) And, as someone who has done A LOT of statistics in my lifetime, 49 is not an appropriate sample size for a population of 27 million. At a confidence level of 95% and with a margin of error of 5%, he would need a sample size of 384 people. If he wanted to lower the margin of error at 3%, he would need 1,067. In this case, his margin of error is 14%.

That being said, this is a moot point anyway because the sampled population was not reflective of France, so the confidence level of the sample is much lower than 95%, which means the margin of error is much lower because we implicitly accept that his sample does not reflect the actual population.

(5) Yes. That Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand. It’s always him. He’s everywhere. If he hadn’t died in 1838, he’d probably still be part of Macron’s cabinet. Honestly, he’s probably haunting the Élysée as we speak — clearly the man cannot stay away from politics.

(6) For those new to the French Revolution and the First Republic, we usually refer to two legislative bodies, each with unique roles. The National Assembly (1789): formed by the Third Estate to tackle immediate social and economic issues. It later became the Constituent Assembly, drafting the 1791 Constitution and establishing a constitutional monarchy.

(7) Une singularité frappante de l'état dont nous sommes affranchis est sans doute que la langue nationale, qui chaque jour étendait ses conquêtes au-delà des limites de la France, soit restée au milieu de nous inaccessible à un si grand nombre de ses habitants.

(8) Les écoles primaires mettront fin à cette étrange inégalité : la langue de la Constitution et des lois y sera enseignée à tous ; et cette foule de dialectes corrompus, dernier reste de la féodalité, sera contraint de disparaître : la force des choses le commande

(9) Le fédéralisme et la superstition parlent bas-breton; l’émigration et la haine de la République parlent allemand; la contre révolution parle italien et le fanatisme parle basque. Brisons ces instruments de dommage et d’erreur. .. . La monarchie avait des raisons de ressembler a la tour de Babel; dans la démocratie, laisser les citoyens ignorants de la langue nationale, incapables de contréler le pouvoir, cest trahir la patrie, c'est méconnaitre les bienfaits de l'imprimerie, chaque imprimeur étant un instituteur de langue et de législation. . . . Chez un peuple libre la langue doit étre une et la méme pour tous.

(10) Patois means regional dialect in French.

[deep-down-in-drowsy-town]

One Song in Every Language

Okay, tumblr. Let's try something.

I want to make a playlist with one song in every single language. Of course, this is impossible- the spotify playlist limit is something like 5,000- but I want to try. Of course, I can't do this alone, and so I'm sharing the project with the entire online language nerd/ music nerd community. Together we can celebrate linguistic diversity- and find some really cool music :)

Here's how it works. This spreadsheet will document every song and language represented. When you want to add a song, first look in the spreadsheet to see if that language is already represented. If it isn't, add the song to the playlist, and then add it to the spreadsheet.

What counts as a language? This is, as we all know, a fundamentally political question (Russian/ Ukrainian? Hindi/ Urdu? "Chinese" and its "dialects"...) We don't have to solve those debates here. My thinking is: the point is to celebrate linguistic diversity in as many forms as possible. If you can make a reasonable argument for why a song and its linguistic variety should be represented, go ahead and add it.

Yes, this means conlangs count (cause conlangs are SICK!) This also means dead languages count- throw in all the Latin and Classical Nahuatl you like. Glossolalia (à la Sigur Ros) and semi-linguistic scat-esque nonsense (à la Kobaian)? Sure, why not!

I'm calling this one song in every language, but we also want to highlight small and minority languages. So maybe we don't want ten different French songs, but if there are two or three different artists singing in Sami (especially different varieties of Sami), throw it in!

Let's make this awesome. Let's make this huge. Spread it around to every language nerd and music geek you know.

Thanks, dankon, merci, etc :)

[assortedvariety]

Language ask game

Hey lovely people, some months ago I was made aware of the coming #jrrtlanguagefest and I have been ✨vibrating in excitement ✨ ever since

This blessed event is upon us and as a language nerd, I would be over the moon if you would like to participate in this ask game I made for it.

Also, don't hesitate to participate in the event (rules and prompts at @jrrt-native-languages-fest ) because I KNOW this fandom is crawling with wonderful people from all around the world that speaks various, multiple tongues 🩷

So for the ask game it is disarmingly simple :

what's one of your favourite words in your native/ favourite language (s) ? Why? 🥰

What is a word you dislike? Why? 😑

Double response:

In french I love the word désabusé, it means disillusioned, disenchanted, I just love the sound and the meaning, like I'm taking a drag of a cigarette and telling it like it is to y'all sweet summer children of the tolkien fandom and further .

And I dislike the word araignée, meaning spider, because i am afraid of them and even idk the sound of the word makes me cringe.

Now in breton I love the word douar, it means earth (planet and soil) and it is such a soft simple word and represents beauty 🌈 🌿🍄🌼💮🌿💐🪻🌴🏔️🌅🏞️🌤️🌏☮️

And I dislike the word reizh, it means sex and is so hard and unsexy I can't. You have one job. This doesn't slide off the tongue.

Tagging lovely people, any language welcome, yes English too, yes quenya, sindarin, klingon, swahili, anything !

@valar-did-me-wrong @iwanderbecauseimlost @dandexllions @hailturinturambar @samwinjester @passigentilcoquelicot @balrogballs @moonsworndandelion @autistook @celebrimborsapron @ffigwit @koyaildoesstuff @hikarielizabethbloom @adarssuggestionbox @adarswidow @celebrimborcoulddestroyme @ohno-elrond @elrondapologist @anariel-the-elrond-apologist @varda-star-queen @gaylilsherlock @granada-brett-crumbs @granadabrettishholmes @spuffyslove @sonennou @unendingwanderlust @wowstrawberrycow @xximmortalkissxx @eowyn7023 @thevalarvarda @scifi-they-wrote @princessfantaghiro @a-sweet-potato-63 @erulasse23 @makeshiftdraco @underthemexicansun @brooksbutler @maul-of-shame @greatmolassesflood @drarrystic @hysar @onebillionblorbos @sonennou @tulacastrej and everyone who wants to participate 🩷🩷🩷

[isubhamdas]

Multilingual vs Multinational SEO-Decode Global Reach

Discover the key differences between multinational and multilingual SEO, and learn how to optimize your online presence for international success. [Continue reading for more] Multinational SEO: Targeting Customers WorldwideMultilingual SEO: Optimizing for Multiple LanguagesCombining Multinational and Multilingual SEOExpert Tip: Leverage Transcreation for Multilingual SEOSuggestion: Conduct…

[theenglishnook]

War and Language Contact: The Impact on the English Language

Echoes of Conquest As history unfolds, the clash of civilizations and the march of empires have often been accompanied by the exchange of more than just territory and power. In the tumult of military conquests and conflicts, languages have collided, merged, and transformed, leaving an indelible mark on the linguistic landscape. The English language, in particular, bears the imprint of its…

[theblindmachine]

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/41RMfYkO5O1VzcBZh5r9Di "# The Dynamic Dance of Language: Uniting and Dividing Us All Language is more than mere words strung together; it is a powerful force that shapes our very identity, influences our thoughts, and holds the ability to bridge divides or build walls. In a recent engaging conversation on the nuances of language, Matthew Sweet sat down with an intriguing panel that included journalists, experts, and creative minds—all experts in their respective fields—who illuminated the complexities of language as both a unifier and a divider. At the forefront of this discussion was Ross Perlin, whose award-winning book *Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues* has ignited an essential dialogue on the value of linguistic diversity. Perlin's work highlights how languages are not just tools for communication but vital threads in the fabric of cultural heritage. Languages, some of which are teetering on the brink of extinction, tell the stories of civilizations, beliefs, and traditions that are irreplaceable. His insights are particularly poignant, reminding us that when a language dies, a cultural worldview fades into obscurity. Joining Perlin in this riveting exploration was Reetika Revathy Subramanian, a distinguished researcher and podcaster whose work delves into global development and the environmental crises intertwined with our linguistic practices. Selected as one of the New Generation Thinkers at BBC Radio 4, Subramanian's contributions push the boundaries of our understanding about how language can facilitate or hinder communication about urgent issues such as climate change. Her podcast, *Climate Brides*, is a testament to her belief that we can use language to foster connection and promote sustainability. Then there's journalist Oliver Kamm, whose sharp wit and incisive commentary on language as a tool of power adds another layer to this complex discussion. Kamm sheds light on how language can be weaponized, manipulating emotions and opinions, often leading to societal division. The way we choose to speak—and listen—can either cultivate empathy or entrench conflict. His perspective urges us to remain vigilant about the words we use and their broader implications in our world today. Adding to the year's rich dialogue on language is the voice of comedian and radio presenter Ellis James. His comedic lens offers a refreshing take, reminding us that even humor is intricately tied to how we express our thoughts and emotions. Language, when wielded with skill and creativity, can bring joy and foster community, transcending barriers in ways that teach us to embrace our differences rather than fear them. Last but not least, Diana Sutton, the director of The Bell Foundation, advocates for language as a powerful educational tool that can unlock opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her presence in this conversation emphasizes that language is not just a personal or cultural asset; it is a social vehicle that can empower and elevate. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected yet divided world, the conversations around language become all the more crucial. From the intimacy of our mother tongues to the vast landscapes of spoken and written expression, language is a living entity that deserves our attention and respect. In a remarkable moment of insight, this panel reminded us: the ability to understand and connect through language is not simply a gift; it is a responsibility. As we look to the future, let us aim to harness language not only as a means of communication but as a bridge toward unity, understanding, and shared progress. In doing so, we may truly create a world where our words—and the meanings behind them—empower, enlighten, and encourage a richer tapestry of human experience."

[hopeschool]

Multicultural Learning in EYFS: Language Diversity at The Hope English School

In a more globalized world, it is essential to build up a multicultural environment of learning from the very beginning of education. At The Hope English School, we are convinced that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the perfect platform upon which to celebrate and nurture linguistic diversity. Our method does not only enrich children's language abilities but also instills empathy, confidence, and intercultural understanding—essential qualities for leaders of tomorrow.

Why Multicultural Learning Matters in EYFS

Early years are a window of opportunity where young brains are highly responsive to new sounds, words, and social norms. Introducing multiple languages and social customs through EYFS, we:

Boost Cognitive Development

Studies indicate that exposing children to multiple languages in early childhood enhances memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking capacities. When learners switch between languages, nerve pathways become stronger, with more mental flexibility.

Develop Social and Emotional Capabilities

Honor each child's home language and culture builds self-esteem and respect for others. Empathy is learned by understanding classmates' traditions, celebrations, and stories.

Prepare Global Citizens

With today's global economy, the power of communication across cultures is priceless. Early learning about language diversity provides a foundation for future international success.

Our EYFS Curriculum: A Blueprint for Inclusivity

At The Hope English School, our EYFS curriculum is crafted to integrate the British philosophy of early years with a diverse palette of international languages and traditions:

Integrated Language Corners

Every classroom has special corners for various languages—Arabic, Urdu, Tagalog, French, and Mandarin. Books, songs, and interactive games in the corners enable children to discover simple vocabulary in an engaging, immersive environment.

Cultural Storytelling Sessions

Weekly story circles also bring parents and community members into school to share folk stories from their homelands. Not only does this practice legitimize home cultures, it also provides children with pride and belonging.

Music and Movement Around the World

Music is the universal language. Simple songs in multiple languages are taught to children and they dance to traditional dances, practicing pronunciation and rhythm while honoring cultural diversity.

Festivals and Celebrations Calendar

Our yearly calendar celebrates significant festivals—Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Nowruz—so children can participate in art, food, and role‑play that provides a deeper exploration of traditions from around the world.

Bilingual Assistant Teachers

Classrooms are assisted by bilingual assistants who give focused language support, making each child—no matter their home language—feel confident and part of the group.

Following Best Practice in British Curriculum Schools in Sharjah

As a top EYFS curriculum school in Sharjah, The Hope English School follows the statutory British Early Years Foundation Stage framework to the letter, but adds multiple layers of cultural depth:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)

By integrating multicultural content into PSED experiences, children respect differences, work in diverse teams, and establish strong self‑identity.

Communication and Language

Our methodology extends beyond proficiency in English. We teach vocabulary systematically in several languages, so learners have a more extensive communicative repertoire.

Literacy

Beyond phonics and English storybooks, our libraries contain dual‑language texts, allowing children to recognize their home languages in classroom materials.

Understanding the World

Learning units examine world geography, customs, and community roles, enabling children to place themselves in a wider global context.

Attending to Parental Needs: British Schools in Sharjah Value and Fees

We recognize that parents comparing British schools in Sharjah fees expect both value for money and outstanding education. The Hope English School provides clear, competitive fee packages reflecting the value we provide:

Packages with Nothing Added On

Our fees include textbooks, cultural experience days, and specialist language materials—no surprise extras for parents.

Flexible Payment Plans

To help budget, we provide termly or monthly payments, with access to a high‑quality multicultural EYFS affordable for everyone.

Scholarship and Sibling Discounts

Worthwhile scholarships are available for exceptional learners, and those who have more than one child enjoy great sibling fee discounts.

Real Stories: Language Diversity in Action

Amira's Journey

When Amira arrived in our EYFS class with only Arabic spoken, she was reluctant to participate in group activities at first. With daily English and Arabic story sessions, aided by an Arabic-speaking teaching assistant, she soon found her confidence. In a matter of months, Amira was sharing simple Arabic greetings with her friends—showing both linguistic development and leadership.

Rohan's Playdate

Rohan's parents are indigenous Hindi speakers. Our Hindi language corner was his go-to place. Through sharing Hindi nursery rhymes, Rohan forged connections with peers with Urdu and Bengali first languages, inspiring impromptu "language playdates" during free-choice.

These vignettes illustrate how our multicultural EYFS model fosters strong communicators and empathetic citizens.

Measuring Success: Outcomes and Achievements

We regularly assess our program's impact using:

Language Sampling Assessments

Monitoring vocabulary development in both home languages and English.

Social–Emotional Check‑Ins

Employing child‑friendly questionnaires and teacher observation to measure feeling of belonging and peer relationships.

Parental Feedback

Regular forums and surveys ensure our model is aligned with family expectations and cultural values.

Results consistently demonstrate high participation, faster language acquisition, and excellent parental satisfaction—testaments to a dynamic multicultural EYFS environment.

Why The Hope English School Leads the Way

One of the most significant decisions parents ever make is selecting a school. Here's why parents rely on The Hope English School for EYFS education:

Expertise in British EYFS Standards

We provide the intensity and framework of the British early years curriculum plus multicultural enhancement.

Truly Inclusive Community

Our student body comprises more than 40 nationalities, so diversity is not just a theory but a daily experience.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

We invest in teacher training, so our teachers are applying the newest research on multilingual early childhood education to their practice.

Safe, Nurturing Environment

Small class sizes, secure campus facilities, and pastoral care dedicated to individual students create the perfect environment for children to flourish.

Conclusion: Raising Global Citizens from Day One

At The Hope English School, our multilingual EYFS curriculum—one of the leading eyfs curriculum schools in Sharjah—illustrates that language diversity is not merely an added benefit—it’s the very heart of how we instruct, play, and learn as a community. By integrating several languages, cultural observances, and equitable practices into the fabric of early education, we educate children not only for the classroom but also for life as open‑hearted, flexible global citizens.

Join us in celebrating our rich cultural mosaic of cultures who form part of our EYFS community. To learn about admissions, curriculum information, and British schools in Sharjah fees, visit our website or contact our admissions team today.

[petitspoussinsbrooklyn]

Fostering cultural awareness from an early age can have a lasting impact on children’s understanding of the world. At a preschool in Brooklyn, New York, children are introduced to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, allowing them to develop respect and appreciation for the world’s richness and variety.

[brymes]

Multilingual Mondegreens

[languagexs]

Exploring the Fulani People of Guinea and West Africa: A Comprehensive Profile about Fulani Guinea

What Role Does the Fulani Language Play in Preserving Culture? The Fulani language, also known as Pulaar or Fulfulde, is a crucial aspect of Fulani identity and cultural preservation. This Atlantic-Congo language, spoken by millions of Fulani across West Africa, serves as a unifying force among the various Fulani subgroups. It is not only a means of communication but also a repository of oral…

[eprime567]

The Importance of Embracing and Celebrating Linguistic Diversity in Society

Multilingualism is an important element of our community’s values and characteristics because it represents folks’ cultural background. This is especially true for societies that engage in more and more of international interactions that occur daily in the contemporary world. With regard to language in the society, there are a number of benefits from merely preserving a different language to advocating for the use of many languages in education and in the workforce. In this blog we will highlight the issues with plurality of language and look into detail why language diversity is essential for forth coming unity and integration.

Language differentiation is a cultural impacts of language where people not only speak different languages but have different culture, history and personality. In this way, we accept the traditions of different people both maintaining the cultures and finding new views on things. Appreciating the necessity for multilingualism creates equality, which paves the way for more progressive cooperation and empathy. For a person living in the global village, it is a plus to be fluent in many languages as this will enhance the relationship between and among the civilizations. Tune in for the next episodes where we are going to illustrate how it is possible to use linguistic diversity and the advantages of implementing it in every spheres of life.

People should confront society multilingual to have the following advantages. It promotes the sharing of views and ideas among people of different orientation hence creating a unity among them. This way, we support equality and understanding of different languages and cultures which means that the cultures of the people around us are appreciated. On the same note, linguistic diversity fosters creativity, talents and innovations because it is understood that whenever there are people with different language backgrounds, there are bound to be new ideas and solutions that would not have come through one culture alone. In addition, in an interconnected world, internationalization of language promotes the improvement of the economic standpoint, and facilitates communication between people with different backgrounds. More of these benefits are discussed next while analyzing possible measures that can be undertaken to advance linguistic diversity in our communities

Language has the potential of creating elasticity, of positively contributing to the construction of society that welcomes people with disabilities and/or who are disadvantaged in other ways. In realizing this goal, embracing linguistic diversity promotes equality and social justice where people’s diversity is cherished. Promoting the use of more than one language reduces the discrimination of people, who could not assimilate enough into the community. Multiculturalism in language brings people together, reduces conflicts and aims at developing a sense of identification with others. One must acknowledge that multilingualism has to be embraced in everyday interactions and in the organizational milieu in order to grow as a society that values and welcomes everyone’s voices. It is therefore important to continue fighting for linguistic diversity as one of the major pillars of unity in our contemporary world.

In order to adopt the above appreciable measures, one can involve practicing the different languages and regional cultures existing in the society. Host language exchange sessions, cultural festivities or seminars that will be making a social call on the beauty of various languages. Promote local businesses to use bilingual billboards as this makes them relay a welcoming message of the diverse community. Promote Bilingual Education for schools and Multilingualism for the community and social areas. In this way, promoting the multilingualism in your community means that you are helping to build a tolerant society in which foreign citizens would like to live, and the local population would like to accept it. Enjoy cultural and linguistic differences as a valuable addition to the improvement of the capabilities of language knowledge.

Lingual diversity as much as it may be worthy may come with a lot of difficulties which people may face during the process. There is one general problem that consists in the disregard or even opposition to the ideas of multilingualism in some contexts. The third challenge can be the shortage of the resources for funding language support services or educational programs. In addition, issues similar to misunderstandings may also arise because of the language barriers, and this may lead to confrontation or non-acceptance of the person.

 In the following section, it is possible to discuss the ways of successful overcoming these difficulties while further cultural and linguistic diversity appreciation in all spheres of the society.

While walking through the path that is marked by difficulties when accepting and promoting linguistic diversity, it becomes clear that advantages definitely overtake the disadvantages. Thus, it can also be seen that, by placing value on multilingualism and offering opportunity to acquire language support and funding for education, we shall be able to develop a diverse society. There is need to address differences arising out of the diverse linguistic backgrounds by employing constructive communication interventions, the essence of which is reducing animosities characteristic of segmented groups in the society. It is not an option but a necessity that linguistic diversity should be welcomed for a better, tighter world.

[sefaradweb]

The 11 Best Ladino Expressions and Phrases To Know

?איז’ו די קין סוס טו

!חאביריס בואינוס

!אינגליניאטי

!ביב’אס קריסקאס אינגראנדיסקאס קומו און פישיקו אין אגואס פ’ריסקאס אמן

!קאמינוס די ליג’י אי מייל

!סאנו אי ריזייו

[cobaltsoulsearcher]

honestly the fact that languages can sound so different is amazing, like with the same vocal chords basically there’s such a huge amount of variety (sometimes even in a single language)

You are so right!!! And how humans are born able to do all these different sounds? How people can retrain themself to have a different voice? How humans are the only animals that can make all these sounds.

Absolutely

Completely

Incredible

Thanks for the ask!

[akaessi]

So why is English a Germanic language?

English is a Germanic language because its origins are in the Germanic language family. Its predecessors (Old English, Middle English, and Early Modern English) are in the West Germanic language branch of the Indo-European Language family.

This can be seen, for example, in the syntax and grammar: the reduction of tenses throughout history of English, the development of weak verbs, etc etc. Additionally, the vowel system of English (having a large number of vowel quantities) is another thing that is typically shared by Germanic languages.

On the history side as well, there are a few linguistic changes that the Germanic languages underwent together that branched them away from other Indo-European languages! For example, Grimm's Law and Verner's Law. These Laws shifted the value the original Indo-European stop consonants: */t d dʰ/ became Germanic */θ t d/ in most cases; compare three with Latin tres, two with Latin duo, etc.

Suffice to say, English is a Germanic language because it has some shared history with other Germanic languages. (They went through some stuff together!) Which made them all become Germanic languages, to put it simply.

Why does English have many Latin loanwords?

Well, you're probably noticed that English has a lot of loan words from Latin, Greek, French, Italian, aka the Romance languages. These languages are from the Romance language branch of the Indo-European tree, so they are technically related to English...but very distantly!

Many of these loanwords are borrowed into English because of the historical class association the Romance languages had compared to English. What does that mean? Well, to put it very simply, Latin and Latin based languages, for example in the Medieval Period, were used as a Lingua franca; a language used to communicate across multiple speakers who do not share a language or dialect. This is also called a bridge language. Now, Latin was used as a bridge language because of its religious associations, relation to papal power, colonization, etc.

This means that medieval aristocracy (to use a generalized example) would use Latin to communicate matters of bureaucracy, education, religion, etc. And the use of Latin, in the Medieval English speaking world, was very much a class feature. Poorer classes would not have access to Latin and would only use their native tongue. In instances where you have a native language and a bridge language cohabitating in a culture, the native language is called the vernacular.

Many of the loan words from the Romance languages used in English are terms associated with an academic, religious, or scholarly context because if the historical use of Latin in English speaking areas! A lot of aristocratical terms also derived from the Romance languages, specifically French, due to this: chancellor, mayor, councilor, dame, count, etc etc. Additionally, sometimes English may have "double words" where one is the native word (and thus of germanic origin) and the other is the borrowed loan word (typically French) but both mean the same thing! And sometimes even the "native" word itself derives from even older French. It's complicated.

While, yes, there are a lot of loan words in English, the majority of English's base words are Germanic. Base words are words that are used the most often and are the bare bones for utilizing a language. Things like: she, he, they, are, is, was, etc but even most commonly used verbs like: to run, to go, to live, etc.

It could very well be the case that Romance languages seem to have more of an influence on English than other Germanic languages because we are noticing the differences from in a learned pattern. Learning English as a native (if you are a native speaker) means that you become subconsciously aware of the Germanic features of English, even if you don't recognize them as such. Things that don't fit the patterns you've learned will stick out more!

TLDR;

English's shared characteristics with other Germanic languages is "genetic" whereas its shared characteristics (typically reduced to loan words) with certain Romance languages is because they just hung out for a little bit (aka chunky periods of time lol).

I simplified this a lot but hopefully this helps!!

linguistic side of tumblr. why is English a Germanic language and not latin?

[theenglishnook]

Scottish English blends regional dialects, Scots, and Gaelic, creating a rich linguistic variety full of colorful idioms and cultural heritage.