Languages in today's multilingual society? | James McLellan | TEDxUniversitiBruneiDarussalam | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Words and phrases can cross language boundaries, and languages must be preserved for sustainable development.

Key Insights

• ⚔️ Words and phrases often cross language boundaries, leading to language borrowing and the incorporation of foreign words into a language.
• 👯 Southeast Asia is a highly multilingual region, with people commonly using multiple languages on a daily basis, such as Malay, English, and other local languages.
• ❓ The preservation and maintenance of less powerful minority languages are crucial for sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs.
• 🥺 Language borrowing does not necessarily lead to conflict between languages, and peaceful coexistence is possible.
• ❓ Language preservation promotes cultural diversity, inclusivity, and sustainable development.
• ❓ The potential of a language to develop and spread is essential for it to survive without constantly borrowing from other languages.
• ❓ The classification and description of languages and the creation of dictionaries and grammars are challenges for language researchers.

Transcript

foreign both in the past and also now in the present and especially in social media contexts words and phrases may cross language boundaries I'd like to demonstrate this with the assistance of you respective Audience by asking about this word that you see is it Malay is it English or what how do you know this spelling absolutely and of course incid... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is language borrowing, and why does it occur?

Language borrowing refers to the process of incorporating words or phrases from one language into another. It occurs due to cultural interactions, globalization, and the need to express new concepts or ideas.

Q: How do we determine whether a word is from the Malay or English language?

We can determine the origin of a word by understanding its spelling and pronunciation. For example, the word "fail" pronounced in the English way refers to not passing, while in the Malay way, it means saving work in Microsoft Word.

Q: How does language borrowing relate to sustainability and the SDGs?

While the SDGs do not specifically mention language, languages play a significant role in sustainability. Language preservation is crucial to maintain cultural diversity, promote inclusivity, and ensure the sustainable development of minority languages.

Q: Do multiple languages in a person's repertoire lead to conflict or peaceful coexistence?

Multiple languages can coexist peacefully and do not necessarily lead to conflict. Linguists argue for peaceful coexistence, as languages themselves do not fight. People may have preferences for certain languages based on context and audience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Language borrowing occurs both in the past and present, especially in social media contexts, where words and phrases may cross language boundaries.

• Southeast Asia is a highly multilingual region, and people commonly use two or more languages on a daily basis, including Malay and English.

• The preservation and maintenance of less powerful minority languages is crucial for sustainable development and the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).