Will This Be The End Of Minority Languages?

The English juggernaut.

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

English has often been described as the “international shark,” a term that highlights its dominance and the way it seems to consume smaller, minority languages.

But is English really to blame for the loss of these languages, as some predict will happen within the next century?

Advocates for linguistic diversity argue that English’s rise to global prominence is not just about communication.

It influences how we think, act, and interact, threatening to replace local traditions, worldviews, and unique cultural identities.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis:

provides insight into this issue by suggesting that language does not simply communicate thoughts but shapes them.

This theory, often divided into linguistic determinism and relativity, highlights the deep connection between language and perception.

Losing a language means losing the unique lens through which its speakers see the world, and this loss directly impacts cultural and personal identities.

English’s growing dominance raises fears of homogenization, where the richness of human diversity is gradually erased.