Scribd
Upload
17 views3 pages

• The importance of preserving one’s language for one’s identity

Preserving your language is crucial for maintaining your cultural identity and heritage, as losing it equates to losing a part of oneself. The document highlights the emotional impact of language loss on individuals and families, particularly in the context of migration. It also emphasizes the importance of taking proactive steps to preserve languages through education, community engagement, and resources.

Uploaded by

muzzammil.ali.khan1004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
17 views3 pages

• The importance of preserving one’s language for one’s identity

Preserving your language is crucial for maintaining your cultural identity and heritage, as losing it equates to losing a part of oneself. The document highlights the emotional impact of language loss on individuals and families, particularly in the context of migration. It also emphasizes the importance of taking proactive steps to preserve languages through education, community engagement, and resources.

Uploaded by

muzzammil.ali.khan1004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Preserving Your Language: The

Key to Unveiling Your True


Identity.
By Muzzammil Khan 10R

Why Should You Care About Preserving Your Language?


Preserving your language is not just about words; it is about
nurturing your roots, embracing your heritage, and
safeguarding your identity. Your language is who you are. It is a
part of your identity meaning losing it is like having a large
chunk of your very soul torn from you. Have you ever stopped
to think about the profound impact language has on shaping
who you are? It is time to reflect on the essence of your mother
tongue and take action to preserve it for generations to come.

Tragic loss of Identity: Could your family be


next?
Imagine this: your family leaves everything behind to start
anew in a foreign land, only to find that your own identity, your
very essence, is slipping away. This has been my experience
since coming to Australia. My younger siblings, once proud
speakers of our mother tongue, have been transformed. It is as
if their true selves have been ripped away and replaced by
someone else entirely. They can no longer construct a single
sentence in our language without relying on English – a phony
language that has now become their default mode of
communication. Can you fathom the feeling of having your very
being manipulated, taken from you without your realization?
Language is not just a tool for communication; it is deeply
intertwined with cultural identity. . When a language dies, so
does a part of a community’s history, traditions, and
knowledge. To lose one’s
language is to lose a piece
of oneself and one’s
heritage. This is the reality faced by many families like mine,
and it is a deeply emotional and impactful experience that
cannot be understated.

Language’s importance in your life


The vital role of language in life cannot be overstated. It is the
lifeblood of human connection, enabling us to forge
relationships, build communities, and express our unique
identities. When a language is lost, so too is a wealth of cultural
knowledge, ancestral wisdom, and individual worth. The
consequences of language extinction are far-reaching and
deeply personal. As renowned linguist Tove Skutnabb-Kangas
once observed, “A loss of language is a loss of knowledge, a
loss of identity, a loss of confidence.” This poignant statement
highlights the profound sense of disconnection and isolation
that can result from the extinction of a language. Without our
mother tongue, we risk becoming invisible, divided from our
communities, and overlooked by society. The stakes are high:
the survival of our languages is intertwined with the survival of
our cultures and the health of our global community.

The Beauty of Language


The earth’s breathtaking tapestry of languages - thousands in
number - offers a stunning array of perspectives on life. By
preserving these diverse tongues, we enrich our human
experience, promote understanding and respect for different
cultures, and foster social organization. Research from
Bialystok, 2011 proves this, as multilingualism has been linked
to improved intergroup relations and social harmony.
Languages are far more than mere tools for communication;
they are the vibrant carriers of unique worldviews, time-
honored traditions, and intricate knowledge systems that have
blossomed over centuries. When a language vanishes, an
irreplaceable piece of our global cultural heritage disappears,
along with the distinctive wisdom and insights it holds. To lose
linguistic diversity is to weaken our collective human
experience, diminishing the richness of our cultural mosaic.
What can you do to rescue relatives from
the ruthless raid of language?
There are a variety of approaches and tactics that may be used
to ensure you do not lose your language, such as taking lessons
in school that emphasize the various languages that people
speak to make sure you retain your origin and tongue.
Speaking with your parents in this language and interacting
with groups of people who share your culture or language are
two other options. Additional methods include taking language
lessons, which schools frequently provide, and which can help
you maintain your fluency and develop your skills; accessing
resources and applications for language learning; and visiting
an area where the language is spoken or practiced.
Bialystok, E. (2011). The effects of bilingualism on cognitive control. Trends in
Cognitive Sciences, 15(4), 144-151.

You might also like