Please take a minute to reflect on the following questions.
1.
Why do we need language?
2.
What are the benefits of
language?
3.
Do you feel a special
connection to your own mother language?
4.
How does your culture
relate to your language?
The QUT Bangladeshi Association cares about mother languages. We
see language as the heart of any culture. Culture is expressed through
language, and cultural diversity is the real energy of the earth. In essence, it’s
our responsibility to protect our cultural diversity, and without protecting
language, it is impossible to preserve culture. Extinction of a language can
lead to the extinction of a culture.
According to the United Nations, there are approximately 7000 language
spoken by various cultural groups around the world. It is assumed that about
50% of them will be extinct within the next few generations. The UN reports
that 96% of languages are spoken by only 4% of the world’s population! Ultimately
very few languages receive state sponsorship, and unfortunately the remaining
languages don’t receive any sponsorship. Based on UN statistics it’s evident
that most of the languages in the world are under threat of extinction. In this
context, it is essential to conserve the languages that are facing the threat
of extinction.