Language is Culture

At work today, I overheard a conversation in the lobby. But because it was in a foreign language, all I heard were a few familiar consonants and vowel sounds sprinkled among the melody coming from their mouths. And then I heard the word "online."

I laughed to myself at first, but then it got me thinking about language. The only way people can communicate or even deal with one another at all is by having a common language. Language is the primary facilitator in uniting people, the essence of culture. And when people interact more and more, whether out of desire or necessity, a common language inevitably results. Telephones, televisions, and computers have connected most people on this planet. Our modern technology has recently created a global community. A common language is only a matter of time.

With technology and other inventions suddenly being released globally, many languages do not have the chance to go through the natural development of a new word for a new item. Instead, when an English speaker creates the internet so that one can go "online," the terms are in place already. The terms were introduced to the entire society at essentially the same time, so at what point could a new word in the native tongue have developed? The deed is done. English, thanks to technology, has infiltrated other languages.

And as time goes on, there are going to be more and more new words for new technologies and so there are going to be more and more universal words. Eventually, out of necessity, everyone will need to speak the universal language. And that is a good thing, as it will, in fact, unite all people. And I know that will facilitate much good and be pleasing to God.


p.s. I still predict the universal language will be English, because of its momentum.