> Language is a tool for communication. The greater number of other people > with whom one can communicate the better. So why diminish their potential > communication pool by teaching children in gaelic or urdu or any other of > the UK's > minority languages? By all means encourage and support their culture - > we > can see how the Scots and other emigrants took their culture with them > when > they went to North America but they did not refuse to relinquish their > native > language. How many foreign language posts do we get on this list? ...and > would > we understand them if we did! > > Irene --------------------- I am breathing deeply and will try very hard not to flame, especially seeing as it is you, Irene. To learn a new language does not and should not entail loosing one's mother tongue. "Culture" is not simply a matter of waving flags and dressing in costumes; it is a total consciousness, a body and manner of thought which is expressed by the language of that culture. Lose the language and you have lost the culture. You may be surprised to know that there is still a Gaelic tradition in Nova Scotia, and a group of people dedicated to preserving that tradition, especially the language. Throughout North America there are aboriginal groups trying desperately to preserve the traditions of their forefathers, particularly the languages. There are only a few which have not already been eradicated. In Canada, the Québecois fight ceaselessly to make sure that their language is not subsumed by the huge body of English-speaking people which surround them. There is a body of both legislation and legislative tradition to support that end, both in Quebec and at the federal level in Ottawa. It is sad that more than 90% of the languages (and cultures) of the world have disappeared in the last 400 years, all buried under the avalanche of whatever European power took over their land. But we English speakers should be careful not to get to smug about the dominance of our language. If, in the end, the majority prevails, our grandchildren will all be speaking Manderin. One hopes that they will be allowed to retain their mother tongue as well. Cheers! Malcolm

Hi All, Words from James:- a) >I am surprised that so many people, especially on this list, are taken in by the notion that we are somehow >connected to Gaelic culture - witness a call for a Gaelic passport. What absolutely self deluding, pathetic, >romantic nonsense I agree with this statement. For the simple reason that it would be ridiculous to have a passport in Gaelic - to impress whom? B) From Jeffrey:- >As a generally rule, you could consider those with Highland ancestry as >likely having Celtic or Gaelic forebears. Lowlanders could have had >ancestors from almost anywhere. I agree. I agree with most of Irene's statements, too that keeping a language alive is important to a culture but lets not get carried away! Cheers! from NZ where the Maori language is being revived but the English language prevails. Maureen > Language is a tool for communication. The greater number of other people > with whom one can communicate the better. So why diminish their potential > communication pool by teaching children in gaelic or urdu or any other of > the UK's > minority languages? By all means encourage and support their culture - > we > can see how the Scots and other emigrants took their culture with them > when > they went to North America but they did not refuse to relinquish their > native > language. How many foreign language posts do we get on this list? ...and > would > we understand them if we did! > > Irene --------------------- I am breathing deeply and will try very hard not to flame, especially seeing as it is you, Irene. To learn a new language does not and should not entail loosing one's mother tongue. "Culture" is not simply a matter of waving flags and dressing in costumes; it is a total consciousness, a body and manner of thought which is expressed by the language of that culture. Lose the language and you have lost the culture. You may be surprised to know that there is still a Gaelic tradition in Nova Scotia, and a group of people dedicated to preserving that tradition, especially the language. Throughout North America there are aboriginal groups trying desperately to preserve the traditions of their forefathers, particularly the languages. There are only a few which have not already been eradicated. In Canada, the Québecois fight ceaselessly to make sure that their language is not subsumed by the huge body of English-speaking people which surround them. There is a body of both legislation and legislative tradition to support that end, both in Quebec and at the federal level in Ottawa. It is sad that more than 90% of the languages (and cultures) of the world have disappeared in the last 400 years, all buried under the avalanche of whatever European power took over their land. But we English speakers should be careful not to get to smug about the dominance of our language. If, in the end, the majority prevails, our grandchildren will all be speaking Manderin. One hopes that they will be allowed to retain their mother tongue as well. Cheers! Malcolm ______________________________