If a language dies, does knowledge die with it?
What knowledge might be lost if the whole world shared one common language?
Let's start with Professor Wade Davis (Prof of Anthropology at UBC):
Discussion questions for your group:
What 3 things most surprised your group about Prof Davis' talk ?
Explain 3 arguments that Prof Davis presents which supports the Knowledge Claim that if a language dies then knowledge does die with it ?
As a group formulate 2 arguments against the knowledge claim that if a language dies then knowledge dies with it.
What are the implications of Prof Davis' talk ?
Spend a few minutes exploring the Endangered Language Map on the page linked here.
Are there any commonalities or points of interest that you have identified on the map ?
Deep Dive:
Working in pairs:
find an endangered language on the map, now do some further research. What can you find out about the people who speak this language ? What is distinctive about them ? What are the key characteristics of their culture ? or their history ?
Write a speech in which you make a lawyer's case for the preservation of your chosen language.