You Are What You Speak

1. Language change is inevitable and natural, not a sign of decline

"If you look at the historical record, you will find that language has always been in decline. Which means, really, that it never has."

Language evolution is constant. Throughout history, languages have undergone continuous changes in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. What may seem like errors or degradation to one generation are often the standard usage for the next. For example:

• Old English (e.g., Beowulf) is unrecognizable to modern English speakers
• Middle English (e.g., Chaucer) requires significant study for comprehension
• Even Shakespeare's Early Modern English can be challenging for contemporary readers

Prescriptivism vs. descriptivism. Language sticklers often bemoan perceived declines in usage, but linguists understand that change is natural. Descriptive linguistics seeks to observe and analyze how language is actually used, rather than dictating how it "should" be used according to arbitrary rules.

2. All languages are equally capable of expressing complex ideas

"Virtually every language—and every dialect, including Ebonics—has the capacity to express virtually any thought."

Linguistic equality. Despite popular misconceptions, no language is inherently more logical, expressive, or sophisticated than others. All human languages, regardless of their perceived prestige or number of speakers, can convey complex ideas and emotions.

Adaptability of language. When new concepts arise, languages readily adapt:

• Borrowing words from other languages
• Coining new terms
• Repurposing existing vocabulary

Even languages with smaller vocabularies or simpler grammatical structures can express nuanced ideas through context, metaphor, and creative usage.

3. Linguistic nationalism often stems from political insecurity

"Language reforms have winners and losers, and so appeasing the 'losers' (including those who have already mastered an old system and will have to learn a new one) makes it tempting to appeal to linguistic factors, to convince everyone that the planners know best about how the language should work."

Language as identity. Nations often use language as a unifying force and symbol of national identity. This can lead to:

• Suppression of minority languages
• Imposition of a standardized national language
• Resistance to foreign linguistic influences

Political motivations. Linguistic purism and nationalism frequently arise during periods of political upheaval or perceived threats to national sovereignty. Examples include:

• Turkey's language reforms under Atatürk
• France's efforts to resist English loanwords
• Attempts to create distinct Serbo-Croatian languages after Yugoslavia's dissolution

4. Standard languages are artificial constructs, not inherently superior

"Standard languages are inventions, most of them confined to a recent period in human history."

Creation of standards. Standard languages are typically based on the dialect of a politically or culturally dominant group. They are codified through:

• Dictionaries and grammar books
• Education systems
• Official usage in government and media

Dialect continua. In reality, languages often exist as a continuum of mutually intelligible dialects, with no clear boundaries. The distinction between a "language" and a "dialect" is often more political than linguistic.

Prestige vs. inherent value. While standard languages serve important social functions, they are not linguistically superior to non-standard varieties. All dialects and varieties have consistent internal rules and can express complex ideas.

5. Language diversity within nations is common and valuable

"The average country (by simple mathematical mean) is home to forty-four languages, far more than most people would guess."

Linguistic richness. Most nations are far more linguistically diverse than commonly perceived. This diversity offers:

• Cultural richness
• Cognitive benefits for multilingual individuals
• Preservation of unique ways of understanding the world

Challenges to monolingual ideals. The notion of one nation, one language is often a political fiction. Examples of linguistic diversity within nations include:

• India's 22 officially recognized languages
• China's many "dialects" that are mutually unintelligible
• Indigenous languages in the Americas and Australia

Efforts to suppress this diversity often stem from political motivations rather than practical necessity.

6. Top-down language planning rarely succeeds in the long term

"Using state power to compel people to speak and write their native language in a certain way is a modern phenomenon."

Limitations of language policy. Government attempts to control language use through legislation or prescriptive rules often fail to achieve their goals. Examples include:

• France's Toubon Law, which has had limited impact on English loanword usage
• Turkey's language reforms, which created a disconnect with historical texts
• Efforts to revive minority languages without grassroots support

Natural language evolution. Successful language change typically occurs organically through everyday usage, not through top-down decrees. Speakers adopt new words and constructions that serve their communicative needs, regardless of official sanctions.

7. English's global dominance does not threaten other languages

"English is, to put it simply, the most wildly successful language in the history of the world."

English as a global lingua franca. English has become the dominant language of international communication in fields such as:

• Business and finance
• Science and technology
• Popular culture and entertainment

Coexistence with local languages. Despite fears of linguistic imperialism, English often serves as an additional language rather than replacing local tongues. Many countries successfully maintain their national languages while using English for international communication.

Factors in English's spread:

• Historical legacy of British colonialism
• Economic and cultural influence of the United States
• Relatively simple grammar and adaptable vocabulary

8. Bilingualism offers cognitive benefits and cultural advantages

"Repeated studies have shown fluent bilingualism to be accompanied by higher intelligence and intellectual performance."

Cognitive advantages. Research indicates that bilingualism can lead to:

• Enhanced executive function and cognitive control
• Improved memory and attention
• Delayed onset of dementia in older adults

Cultural and economic benefits. Bilingualism also offers:

• Greater cultural understanding and empathy
• Increased job opportunities in a globalized economy
• Ability to access a wider range of information and perspectives

Immigrant language retention. Encouraging immigrants to maintain their heritage languages while learning the dominant language can benefit both individuals and society as a whole.

9. Language is a fluid, evolving phenomenon, not a fixed entity

"Language, through natural evolution, recruits metaphors from the concrete world to represent abstract ideas."

Constant evolution. Languages are not static entities but are constantly changing through:

• Borrowing words from other languages
• Semantic shifts in word meanings
• Grammatical changes over time
• Development of new idioms and expressions

Metaphorical thinking. Much of language development involves extending concrete concepts to abstract domains through metaphor. This process is ongoing and contributes to language's flexibility and expressiveness.

Adaptability to new concepts. Languages readily adapt to express new ideas and technologies, either by coining new terms or repurposing existing vocabulary.

10. Linguistic prejudice often masks deeper social and political biases

"Saying that English is 'under threat' is something like saying that gravity and the use of the fork are under threat."

Language as a proxy. Concerns about language "purity" or the threat of foreign influences often reflect deeper anxieties about:

• Immigration and demographic changes
• Loss of cultural or political dominance
• Economic insecurity

Unfounded fears. Worries about the decline of dominant languages like English are typically baseless, given their institutional support and global influence.

Impact of prejudice. Linguistic discrimination can have real-world consequences, including:

• Educational disadvantages for speakers of non-standard dialects
• Employment discrimination
• Social exclusion and marginalization

Recognizing the arbitrary nature of linguistic prestige can help combat these biases and promote more equitable language policies.

Last updated: August 8, 2024