I chose this article because I find it ridiculous that the last
two speakers of a dying language won’t communicate with each other. The two men
are about 6 years apart in age and are the only two people who can speak Ayapaneco. This language was spoken in what is now Mexico.
What I find most interesting is that the two men do not enjoy each other’s
company. One would think that since they share a common language, it would be
easier to make and maintain a friendship. It goes to show that just because two
people know the same language doesn’t mean they are automatically comrades. I
definitely want to learn more about the Ayapaneco language because I want to
see if the two men will eventually communicate with one another. Fortunately,
the article said a linguistic anthropologist from Indiana University will create
a dictionary with Ayapaneco words in hopes of preserving the language since these two men are excellent silent treatment givers. This
affects the world because there are many languages around the world that have
less than 5 speakers. The article provides some examples with its pictures. I
think it’s important to preserve dying languages because I feel like if a
language dies, a culture dies as well.
To end this with a quote:
Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides- Rita Mae Brown
I totally agree with you it is ridiculous that the last two people who can speak a language thats dying won't communicate with each other. And like you said you would think they will talk to each other since they share the language together. I mean I will most definitely try to communicate with someone else if my language was dying, but that's just me. At least the university is creating a dictionary to preserve the language and culture. Still, it would be great if those two people will communicate with each other. Oh well...
ReplyDeleteI think this is hilarious. I'm curious as to why they don't speak to each other. I'm glad an outside party is going to try and preserve the language. I found this article and I was going to it but something told me to check your blog and sure enough, you beat me to the punch.
ReplyDeleteHaha that's kinda funny and also sad. It's sad to know that such differences and conflicts can destroy a last known language and it's culture. I mean, they're the only ones left to enjoy it. What a shame...
ReplyDeleteIt is true the culture would die if the language dies. My grandmother is the only living of her siblings and we do not know exactly what native language they speak. She was not allowed to speak her native language, so she forgot how to speak it. Now she tells us that she wish she knew how, so she could teach us.
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