You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some languages die every year and English is becoming used more and more as a world language. Many people feel this is a positive trend and that the world with fewer languages promotes harmony and understanding between people. Analyse both sides of this argument and provide your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer:
In the contemporary world, peoples’ lives are progressed pursuant to the changes that globalisation brings to the society. Popular western cultures have altered the overall linguistic practice around the globe, establishing English as a dominant language while leaving other minor languages in threat. Some argue that such a trend can allow global citizens to achieve harmony through destructing a communicational barrier while others state the opposite opinion. These two divergent ideas will be analysed in the following paragraphs, supported by relevant examples.
Having English as a common language can ease possible difficulties arisen by language barriers. One can readily recount incidences of people having conversational problems when travelling overseas. Not being able to understand foreign languages disable people from comprehending foreigners’ thoughts and bonding with them. Consequentially, this may cause some to develop biased or negative perceptions of people from other countries. Therefore, if the citizens of the world could speak one or fewer languages, troubles generated by language barriers would be minimised and create a harmonious society.
However, the disappearance of a language may result in a loss of a nation’s cultural identity. Languages do not only represent verbal practice by humans but also reflect on a country’s traditions. For example, the Korean language includes two different ways of expressing words depending on which age group one belongs to. If such as a linguistically diversified activity was to be replaced by English, the nation would lose its historical custom that had been maintained for centuries.
In conclusion, the aforementioned ideas suggest two varying opinions about having fewer languages in the world. I personally believe that every language should be preserved to keep its individual identity and characteristics.
[ by Kay]