Re: Saving endangered langs (was Re: Extrapolating languages)

--- Joe <joe@...> wrote:

> >In a number of cultures, the use of language
> has magical or
> >religious value and must be used in the
> appropriate ritual
> >contexts.
> If they are willing to let their language die,
> how can they see worth in
> it to safeguard from outsiders?
Because it's a sacred, magical thing.

> To me, that
> would appear to be a
> blatant contradiction.
Yep. What's interesting is that lots of battered
women choose to stay with the men that beat them.
To me, that would appear to be a blatant
contradiction...

> If they are not
> planning to let their language
> die out, and are offended at its documentation,
> you should respect their
> wishes, though put your case before leaving.
> Otherwise, you are merely
> 'stealing' something of no real importance to
> them.
No, you're stealing something of great importance
to them.

> If  you are officially opposed by the
> community, and by the majority,
> you should probably respect their wishes,
> either way, but I fail to see
> how anyone, having heard a good argument for
> language preservation,
> could deny it an opportunity.
For reasons stated. If the language is seen as a
vehicle for certain people to commune with their
own departed ancestors or gods and it's not
something to be given to outsiders; then I can
easily see that they would outright deny the
opportunity.

This is not a question of logic or what makes
sense to you. It's all about what makes sense to
the community who owns that language.

Padraic.


=====
la cieurgeourea provoer mal trasfu ast meiyoer ke 'l andrext ben trasfu.


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