Connolly on Language

[Connolly]

"I do believe in the necessity, and indeed in the inevitability of an universal language; but I do not believe it will be brought about, or even hastened, by smaller races or nations consenting to the extinction of their language. Such a course of action, or rather of slavish inaction, would not hasten the day of a universal language, but would rather lead to the intensification of the struggle for mastery between the languages of the greater powers."

Is he for real :huh: ?

I see how some languages are used universally, such as English in aviation, or French and English for communicating trade and and are the official communicating languages of the EU.

But they are for specific purposes, and under the global situation of US dominance, being English speaking. When new powers like India and China are brought to the forefront, wouldnt it be expected that their main languages will be adopted for global purposes?

Is it still realistic to believe a universal language will emerge?, and if so, wouldnt it be introduced faster through imperialism (such as British) to force it upon nations, such as they did here in Ireland.

What process would drive a language like Turkish, or Dutch, to extinction in the face of the greater and more universal languages like French, English - possibly Chinese etc??

[ComradeOm]

Remember the time Connolly lived in. All sorts of theories that are now considered crackpot or discredited were all the rage back then.


Is it still realistic to believe a universal language will emerge?, and if so, wouldnt it be introduced faster through imperialism (such as British) to force it upon nations, such as they did here in Ireland.

What process would drive a language like Turkish, or Dutch, to extinction in the face of the greater and more universal languages like French, English - possibly Chinese etc??Remember Irish history. It was not British canons that destroyed the Irish language but British jobs. The language that becomes the dominant language of business will naturally thrive in a capitalist world.

[The Grey Blur]

I think Connolly wasn't backing a universal language there but rather arguing against Communists of his day who disagreed with his Nationalist stance on the Irish language.

The other Commies were using the Universal language argument and Connolly was just responding I think. Still, in a Communist society as national divisions are eroded more and more who knows what might happen?