A Single World Language?
Every Tom, Díck and Harry claims to be a computer expert. Meaning everybody think they know a lot about computers. But who was Tom, Díck and Harry; or was it just 3 random names that somebody once grabbed out the air and it stuck?
We have a similar expression in my mother’s tongue but with three different names; Piet, Paul en Klaas. It was probably inherited straight from Dutch which was the foundation of Afrikaans. I did not research the origin of it.
It is expressions like this that makes a language rich. And it also makes a language very confusing to newcomers. If I should tell a newbie to English who bought a horse that turned out to be blind that he bought a cat in a bag, he will not know what I’m saying. He will probably think I’m stupid if he does not understand the elements of the language. After all, how does a blind horse relate to a half suffocated cat tied in a bag?
It seems that we are moving closer towards one single world language and it would be sad to see the jewels of our languages disappear but I guess all these expressions will be taken up in such a language, even if it is on a regional base.
But a single world language is still very far off. Currently there are about 6900 languages being spoken worldwide but the number is not conclusive because it is hard to distinguish between languages and dialects. Half the world speak 13 languages while the other half speak about 6887 languages.
I personally cannot see a single language being implemented worldwide. The moment it is installed, regional dialects with start developing and soon we will have different languages again.
Somehow I think we were meant to speak in different tongues.
Have a great day out there.
Comments (44)
I wonder how many languages are available in braille?
I feel, English is a simple but still demanding language. German belongs to the same language group but has gained alot of complicated grammar to learn.
Be glad about your language!
Braille code is not a language, but it can be produced in many different languages including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and many more.
There is more than one system (5 dots, 6 dots, etc) in some countries.
Each symbol represent a letter of the alphabet and any language using the alphabet as we know it, can use it.
That is probably more correct from a modern view as it includes a female name.
We don't want to be chauvinists, do we?
I had a lot of problems with English when I was still in school. My vice principal suggested that I should get an English speaking girl friend and went as far to introduce me to such a girl.
I married her a few years later and I still want to shoot that old man for all the woes he caused me.
I think sign language is more universal..
I know Díck very well. We want to school together. He was ok but he had a swollen head and always hanged out with the wrong crowd.
What about Jack of all trades, have you met that one?
Then I am on the right track. I already know one sign but it upsets the old ladies when I use it in public.
It is very easy. No need to take lessons. You are doing better than what you might suspect.
Yes, I know Jack too but he is the master of none. Mind you, he did well not to spill much water coming down the hill.
I guess I opened myself to that one.
Be aware, sign language is distinct from gesture.
Nope, it is all quiet on the western front.
But will not test you right now, I just wanted to drop by ans say that languages are fun. All of them.
I just cannot see two business men negotiating a multi-billion dollar contract using sign language. Nor two lovers trying to get better acquainted. It will be a major step backwards in evolution if we were to become mute now.
Hmm about a 7th of the world's population speak Mandarin. Most lists rate English a humble 3rd place after Spanish.
Btw. By modern conventions he rescued the pig.
Just as I got the hang of Klingon (Klinganese?) I learned that the Cylons have declared Cylonese as the universal language. It is implemented at all schools from next year and there is a scurry to get all the handbooks translated and printed in time.
Then we will have to learn to speak much faster or we will be timed out.
Have you ever seen two persons communicating in sign language? Were they mute? Nope, not really. They made sounds though to some of us it's not clear. Could they laugh? Yes, surely. We could hear their laughter.
But at least English, French, Indonesian, Arabian, Japanese, chinese, and all other people speaking diff languages, can understand each other when using sign language without understanding other mother tounges.
Yes, both your and my language stem from the ancient Germanic tongues. I will not understand full sentences but there are words that are more or less the same in our languages.
I truly cannot see a sign language replacing verbal speech. Can you imagine the loss in production man hours if people had to put down whatever they had in their hands to explain a problem? Think of the anti social nature a meal will have; not being to talk and hold a knife and fork in your hands. No, it will be unpractical to the extreme to implement it as a replacement for verbal communication.
As for talking in restaurants, well, it would be so much quieter!!
Eventhough we use our mouth to communicate, we cannot speak to taxi/bus drivers when they're driving and we cannot speak when our mouth is "holding" something.
It's getting very late. I am leaving this blog. Byeeeee..
Funny how we make our own sayings like the one my dad told me...don't say boo to a goose...or rob peter to pay paul...so even if there is one universal language...we have a need to be different...
I think it should work very well in public libraries too but beyond that I cannot see too much much practical use for it by people who are capable of hearing and speaking.
Yes, I think this a typical case where what is good for the goose is not good for the gander. I don't think there could ever be single language. No matter how small the world becomes.
Ok then, no problem.
We use a spade to dig holes. If the spade is broken then we can use a shovel to dig a hole but it does not work as efficient as a spade.
We got limbs, organs and senses to perform certain functions. If one or more are impaired we learn to make do with what we have and to the deaf sign language is a blessing. Like braille is to the blind.
I was riding with welela, earlier today. When she had stop by your blog. I stayed in the car. Anywho! She told me about the one/ 1 language thingsy worldwild.
Kinda sound like that NWO. to me! ....
Anywho! Imma just stick to my own words only. That will show them!