GLOBAL: Governments should protect their native languages

Dinner Table Debates Daily Deep Dive

Did you know that there are over 7,000 languages worldwide, but more than half the world's population speaks only 23 of these languages? And about 40% of those languages are considered endangered, with only a few speakers left. Even more surprising, over the past century, it’s estimated that nearly 230 languages have gone extinct. While some languages like Mandarin, English, and Spanish dominate global communication, thousands of others risk disappearing forever. This loss isn’t just about words; it’s about losing culture, identity, and history. Should governments step in to protect native languages, or is this a natural part of societal evolution?

Welcome to your Dinner Table Debates Daily Deep Dive, where we explore real topics from our decks and give you everything you need to debate, in under 10 minutes. Today's topic is "Governments should protect their native languages" and comes from our Full Size Essentials Collection deck. Let’s dig in.

Languages aren’t just a means of communication; they carry centuries of cultural heritage, values, and traditions. Native languages, often referred to as indigenous or minority languages, are those spoken by specific communities, typically within a single country or region. Efforts to preserve languages can include education in native tongues, legal protections, and funding for cultural initiatives. However, in many cases, globalization and the dominance of a few major languages push native languages to the margins. For instance, the rise of English as the global language of business has contributed to the decline of other regional languages, especially in former colonies. According to the Endangered Languages Project, a language dies approximately every two weeks. Policies like Ireland’s support for Gaelic or New Zealand’s promotion of Maori demonstrate how governments can take active steps to protect native tongues. Still, not everyone agrees that such interventions are the best use of resources.

Why does this topic matter? When a language disappears, it takes with it unique ways of understanding the world. Losing native languages can weaken community bonds, erase cultural knowledge, and even impact biodiversity, as many indigenous communities possess ecological wisdom tied to their language. On the other hand, some argue that prioritizing native languages might divert resources from more urgent societal needs, especially in multi-lingual countries where unity through a common language is critical.

Governments should protect their native languages to preserve cultural identity and heritage. Protecting native languages helps preserve the unique cultural identity of communities. Languages encapsulate history, traditions, and worldviews. For example, the revival of Hebrew in Israel demonstrates how language can unify a nation while preserving cultural heritage. Additionally, when governments support native languages, it empowers marginalized communities, giving them a voice in national conversations. Countries like Canada, where indigenous languages are being revitalized through public funding, show that such efforts can promote inclusivity and reconciliation. Lastly, many indigenous languages contain valuable ecological knowledge. For example, the Kayapó people in Brazil possess intricate knowledge about the Amazon’s biodiversity, encoded in their native tongue. Losing the language risks losing this wisdom.

On the other hand, critics argue that governments should not protect native languages due to resource allocation concerns. Government budgets are limited, and preserving languages can be costly. Resources could be better spent on improving education, healthcare, or infrastructure rather than supporting endangered languages with few speakers. Critics also highlight that globalization and economic integration encourage the use of widely spoken languages like English, which can open up economic and educational opportunities. For instance, in India, English fluency has been a key factor in driving its global IT industry. Finally, some argue that the natural evolution of languages has always been part of human history. Instead of resisting this process, societies benefit from merging languages for greater unity and communication efficiency.

In recent years, several countries have made strides in protecting native languages. In 2022, the European Union designated funds to support endangered languages in member states. Meanwhile, UNESCO declared 2022-2032 as the Decade of Indigenous Languages, encouraging global collaboration to safeguard linguistic diversity. Want to dig into this topic even more? When you’re playing Dinner Table Debates at home, you can have Agree set the stage and choose how to define the debate. This means they can outline the terms, context, and interpretation, creating a unique and dynamic conversation every time.

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