Lost in translation

After I read Lost in Translation, it angered me that even political factions wanted to eliminate language. Lost in translation really cut me because I am majoring in anthropology, and I am fascinated with the individuality of all cultures. What I have learned from anthropology is language can be core of a culture. Language is not just a form of reading and writing. It helps separate groups of people from one another.

Cultural identity through language is slowly being erased among the first world countries. For example, in the United States a new discrimination is popping up over language. We are finding more people complaining about immigrants who cannot speak English. The government is even now trying to push it as a requirement when earning a visa. Language describes a person’s background, their heritage, their history, their roots, and maybe even their distinct physical features. Why would we want them to eliminate their heritage and trade it in for something more “popular”? Maybe American’s are taking up a few of Joseph Stalin’s ideas. We may view Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, etc. all gutter languages since we are a dominated English speaking country.

Vassilij Gavbov and David Harrison probably Chulym by preserving the language in children’s books. If it wasn’t for these two individuals immense interest in preserving Chulym, it would have been forgotten. Language is a powerful bond among people. For example, say if you are in a foreign country and do not speak the native language fluently. Then you come across another person who speaks your language. Coming from personal experience, you feel a tie with this stranger. It was a comforting relief for me when I met somebody else who spoke English. It was like I was visiting a long lost family member who shared a connection with me except it was through sharing the same language. Our language is a part of us.

Sometimes people can feel threatened by foreign cultures and language. The reason for feeling threatened is that they do not understand it therefore deem it to be negative. Feeling threatened by foreign cultures or language leads to anger, to hate, and finally opppression. Instead of feeling threatened, there should be respect and intrigue. All cultures can learn from each other but still keep their own unique identity. We should respect the differences of cultures and the language barrier instead of trying to blend the whole globe into one culture and one language. The world will lose it's flavor if we continue to pursue this.