Is Linguistic Diversity Important?
Why linguistic diversity matters and how to promote it.
All of us are as diverse as we can be, owing to differences due to biology, environment, education, nationality, ethnicity, and all other factors. But the need to tolerate diversity is the mark of a truly egalitarian society. Social institutions must ensure that their members practice tolerance of diversity in words and deeds.
Tolerance of differences is a significant step towards achieving social justice and equality, eventually leading to social harmony. Much as we need to practice it because it is ethical, it can also lead to practical benefits, which is better for all of its members.
But in the fight for tolerance, diversity, and social justice, some are given more emphasis than others. The result is that we neglect others, and if not addressed, it can have lethal consequences and severely setback the overall fight for diversity, equality, and social justice.
An example would be linguistic diversity ( a type of diversity). With many speaking the same language in the community, linguistic diversity and the need to encourage it mostly fly under the radar. The result is less encouragement and, in some cases, less tolerance, which could offset our gains in the fight for equality.
What is linguistic diversity, and why is it important to know about and encourage it? We will discuss it and its impact on the fight for social justice. We will also discuss how to encourage linguistic diversity in our society.
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What is linguistic diversity?
Linguistic diversity definition usually connotes differences concerning language, and they are usually right. The most basic definition is that of difference concerning the language used by people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Linguistic or language differences, of course, can mean many things. It can mean a difference in the language used or employed or the difference in how a particular language is employed. It can also mean how frequently they use a particular language and the density of language use in a particular area.
Language diversity can mean all those things, but the critical thing to consider is that people use languages that may differ. As such, every language must blossom, and its use must be allowed for people exhibiting different customs and cultures.
Linguistic diversity entails cultural differences but differs from what we call cultural diversity. But what is the difference between linguistic diversity and cultural diversity? The difference lies in the specific context from which culture and language emerge in particular communities and societies.
Culture encompasses a whole way of life and involves not only language but all other aspects of our life, like food, tradition, religion, beliefs, and everything else. A particular individual behaves due to a particular acculturation that one receives, either from society or the community.
Culture then will dictate one’s way of life, even the language used. How one moves according to the dictates of culture and how one differs in the movement and way of life makes for cultural diversity.
Although linguistic diversity implies cultural diversity, it is far more specific but suggests more than what meets the eye. Since language is what we use to express ourselves and communicate linguistic differences, it implies how we fundamentally differ from our fellows.
More about Linguistic Diversity
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