Being multi-lingual offers unparalled opportunities
Published on: Sunday, March 17, 2024
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As the world continues to evolve, embracing linguistic diversity is not just a choice but a necessity for building a more interconnected and harmonious global community.
This is why Unesco declared Feb 21 as International Mother Language Day on Nov 17, 1999, and it is now observed in many countries every year. It also aims to promote multilingualism.
Loss of a community’s mother tongue increases the likelihood of it losing a significant portion of its cultural identity. Language serves as the medium through which tales, folklore and the knowledge of ancestors are transmitted from one generation to the next, thereby fostering a sense of continuity and belonging.
It is deeply intertwined with traditional practices, rituals, and indigenous knowledge that have been honed over centuries. By upholding their mother language, communities ensure the transmission of invaluable knowledge that serves as a guide to sustainable living, offering insights into ecological practices, agriculture and natural resource management that are often unique to them.
Preservation of the mother language is also a key factor in fostering inter-generational bonds. In many ethnic communities, the elders play an important role in passing down cultural practices and values to the younger generation. The mother tongue is the medium through which this transfer of knowledge occurs.
When the younger generation is proficient in their native language, they can engage more meaningfully with their elders, facilitating the exchange of wisdom and fostering a sense of continuity between generations.
In addition to being a linchpin of cultural preservation and sustainability, mother languages contribute significantly to the enhancement of an individual’s communication abilities. Those who are proficient in their mother language and fluent in other languages possess a unique advantage in an interconnected world.
Multilingualism not only enables individuals to navigate diverse social and professional environments, but it also fosters a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives.
The cognitive capacities of people who speak more than one language tend to be higher, according to research. This includes enhanced creativity, adaptability and problem-solving skills. Brain activity increases when one learns and uses more than one language, which in turn improves one’s ability to think critically and complete complicated tasks.
Furthermore, being able to speak more than one language greatly enhances one’s educational, occupational and cultural opportunities.
In the context of ethnic communities, the ability to speak multiple languages can be a bridge to cross-cultural communication and understanding. In a globalised society, interaction between different ethnic groups is inevitable, and linguistic diversity can serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue.
Communities that embrace linguistic diversity are better equipped to engage with the broader world, fostering cross-cultural collaborations, trade and diplomatic relations.
If educational institutions, policymakers and community leaders want to make sure that ethnic groups stay together, they need to recognise the natural link between keeping mother tongues alive and keeping ethnic populations alive.
There should be active support for programmes that aim to encourage the teaching of mother tongues, cultural exchanges, and the recording of indigenous knowledge.
Efforts should also be taken to include multilingual education in regular school programmes since it has cognitive and cultural benefits.
As the world continues to evolve, embracing linguistic diversity is not just a choice but a necessity for building a more interconnected and harmonious global community.
Assoc Prof Dr Siti Noor
Fazelah Mohd Noor
Centre For Language Studies
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.
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