"Last Words" by Elizabeth Kolbert (New Yorker, Vol 81, June 6 2005)

[ginger_kitty]

It is the differences between English and Eyak that are, in Krauss's view, the reason for preserving it. He asked me if I'd ever taken French. "Tout à l'heure il sera là," he said. "Tour à l'heure il était là. Well what the hell does 'tout à l'heure' mean? We have no English word for that. How would you define it-- 'now plus or minus a short while

Comments

[angryneo]

I believe English is the universal language today, and I agree that at least people should continue to speak their native tongues. There are too many second and third generations, of immigrants for example, who are not taught the language their parents and grandparents spoke. It's a shame, really. Traditions and ideas of our ancestral cultures are best kept when spoken in the language the ideas were formed. Meaning is lost in translation. I care to appreciate my culture in my grandmother's language. Knowingly, I have made a strong point to speak, read, and write the language. In fact, I consider English my second language.

[ginger_kitty]

While English is incredibly widespread, it is not yet universal. I'm not that incredibly fond of how wide it's spread its net, even if it does make certain matters easier

[angryneo]

;)

Don't apologize for you long comment. I rather enjoy and look forward to your posts.