The importance of continued maintenance of diversity in languages for the survival of the human race.

I considered appending this essay to my other hub on languages, but thought it deserved a hub all to itself. People might not go back and read the other one due to where it is catalogued. I think the newer stuff is easier to find.

First of all, I come from a bi-lingual family. My parents spoke Igbo and English. My native country, Nigeria, was colonized by the British so a lot of people speak English (or some bastardization of it) around there. It is a fear amongst many native Nigerians that our traditional languages and cultures are disappearing with the apathy of newer generations who find it is more appealing to move to and try to integrate into Western culture.

I know that sometimes it is important to learn a new language as a survival technique when you are in a foreign land, and dealing with foreign customs (I have forgiven my parents for this). However, while cultural mixing is common and possibly inevitable in this age of mass transit systems, it is important to remember where you came from. Be careful not to allow the introduction of foreign practices lead to the erosion of your society.

I, personally, am disheartened by the fact that I am not more fluent in the Igbo language (the traditional language of my parents). I feel that if I were, I would be an asset to my people who lag behind in technological development. I feel I could serve as a translator if I spoke Igbo more fluently.

I can't remember if I learned this phrase from my mother or my grandmother, but it goes "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold." I feel that the same can be applied to culture. I think that African people should make a conscious effort to adapt foreign technologies in a way that it is significant to them and their own traditional ways, and not get consumed in any efforts to completely assimilate foreign practices.

Africans are a unique people, with unique history, languages and traditions. I believe they developed those traditions as a by-product of the environment they grew up in and those traditions have served as a means of preserving them in the land they grew up in and should not be lost, because within those traditions must lie the key to their survival in that environment.

I gave this article the subititle "the importance of systematic diversity", because I believe that every system should have a "Plan B" or an "alternative model". It's like a "spare tire" or a "backup generator" in case the power goes out.

Just think about it, if a malicious alien (space alien) race decided it wanted to destroy all humans (or even a malicious human being who has developed the idea that humanity is a cancer that is killing his mother Earth) wanted to wipe out the whole human race, what would it do? Of course, it would target the one thing we all share in common.

It's like when people think up scenarios for what a terrorist would do if it wanted to pull off a mass attack. Top 3 means are usually:

1. Bomb us off the face of the Earth
2. Poison our water supply
3. or release poison into our common breathing air

But have you ever thought that they could attack our "language"?

What survival equipment does language hold?

Plenty.

It holds our secrets. It holds our cultures. It holds our trust.

If you were traveling to a foreign land, what is the first thing you do? You look for someone who speaks English, right?

We tend to trust people that we understand.

Mass deception would be an easy way to attack all of humanity if we all spoke the same language. Mass confusion.

Language is very important to survival.

However, if you have people speaking multiple languages, those that do not speak the language of deception would be spared the effects of the attack, and the human race lives on. (If that is the only means the aliens choose to attack us with).

Diversity is strength. I am a strong believer in this.

Even "computer languages". I'm not sure if there is more than one. I know there is something like Java, HTML, C++...We used to have MS Dos, QBasic and WordPerfect and all that stuff at home (I'm not familiar with their subcategorizations) before we switched to Microsoft Office, and all the new stuff.

But you would not believe how handy it is to have a typewriter!!! Sometimes when you're filling out applications, you want to type the information (especially if you have indecipherable handwriting, like my little brother).

People fawn over the new iPods, but a plain old tape recorder can be just as useful. Especially for taping college lectures. Not all teachers upload their lectures to iTunes!

So, it's nice to learn something new...learn a new way of doing things, but there is untold value in ancient traditions and customs.

Some simple and common phrases in Igbo

• Hello = Ndewo

• Kedu = How are things?

• Ọdimma = It is well

• Afọ ole ka idi = How old are you? (or literally, "how many years do you have?")

• Adịm afọ iri abụọ na anọ. = I am 24 years old.

• Aguru na gum = I am hungry.

• Ara ba buo gi! = Let madness kill you!

• Gini n'eme gi n'ishi? = Are you insane?! (literally: What kind of mental deficits do you have?)

• Ọ gbasara gị? = Is it any of your business? (note: It is commonly used in the way the phrase "None of your business!" is used by teenagers who don't want you medddling in their affairs) alternative translation: Does it concern you?

• anu ọhia = bush meat

• I were ike i yere m aka? = Can you help me? or Can you give me a hand?

Igbo Numbers from 1-10

1. otu
2. abụọ
3. atọ
4. anọ
5. ise

6. isi
7. asa
8. asatọ
9. itolu
10. iri

You may have noticed some of the weird symbols. They are a way of differentiating between different (but similar sounding) vowel sounds.

Anyway, I lost my translation dictionary, and I don't have the motivation to do a whole lot more translations off the top of my head, but I am a strong proponent of seeing more use of African languages in scientific material. Of course, I am aware that Africans are going to have to do it ourselves, because it is our language and who can do it better than us. But at the same time, I worry sometimes, because all the textbooks, resources and equipment are in foreign languages and owned by foreign people and institutions. I believe it is going to take an African, or some Africans with real strength of character to overcome these obstacles and provide neccessary equipment for our peoples to meet the challenges of our future.

I believe that efforts should be made towards:

• Subtitling of popular/iconic films
• Translations of important texts (including medical and technical)
• Cultural documentation and preservation

I think our best bet would be to make this a government effort. Funded and supported by Nigerian government (I speak in specifics here, because this is where I'm from. I don't know what's going on in other countries, so I can't speak for them) This will also provide jobs and travel opportunities to citizens of Nigeria (a great incentive to get people to do this type of work).

I dunno...*shrug*...that's just my idea. Only "god" and time know what the future holds.

the end.