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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1, NIV)
Humanity was united by one language, but after the people gathered in a place called Babel and attempted to build a tower to reach the heavens, the Lord confused the languages of the whole world and scattered them over the face of the earth.
Language is your identity; you should always preserve it. Once you lose your mother tongue, you lose your identity. Respecting and preserving your mother tongue is a way of honouring your ancestors. For instance, even if we become rich or famous, we always remember and respect our childhood friends, even if they are poor or without fame. Similarly, even though our living standards may rise to great heights, we should still remember and value our language.
As we improve our standard of living, our original languages fluctuate for many reasons, and if we continue to ignore them, they may one day become extinct. Even famous languages in the world, such as Latin, Ancient Greek, Sumerian, Ancient Egyptian, and Phoenician, have disappeared. Our languages, spoken by small groups of people, are at risk of becoming extinct as well.
Our society is obsessed with imitating other nations. Most of the youth today try to dress and groom like Koreans. However, if they truly admire Koreans, they should embrace their own culture just as Koreans love their mother tongue and strive to spread it worldwide. So why don’t we also make an effort to promote our language instead of losing it?
Learning a new language should not come at the expense of our original one. It is also necessary to learn other languages for various purposes, such as communication, education, and career opportunities. In our increasingly globalised world, multilingualism can open doors and foster connections between cultures. Yet, we must not allow the pursuit of additional languages to overshadow our commitment to our mother tongue.
While it is vital to adapt and learn from other cultures, we must never forget the significance of our mother tongue. Preserving our language is a way of honouring our heritage, identity, and the generations that came before us. Let us commit to keeping our languages alive, ensuring they thrive alongside the many others in our global society.
Hoshika H. Sumi
Naga United Village
Chümoukedima
hoshikashoixe@gmail.com