For linguists, it seems clear and obvious that every effort should be made to document and preserve endangered languages, however, it is also important to be explicit about the reasons to support these efforts. Asking why it is important to preserve endangered languages is parallel to asking why the study of history is important, as language is a standard connecting past with present.
It
is a well-established concept that language gives a voice to cultural identity.
This means that people who speak the same language are united by sense of
commonness therefore it would be easier for them to interact and know each
other and connect amongst themselves. They are able to communicate and identify
with each other more easily which enables and promotes social interaction
therefore they wouldn’t be isolated nor segregated due to the lack of
incompetence. Without a common language, people, would hardly recognize each
other or their tradition even though they derive from the same roots and
ancestors, some may not recognize their harmony, making them feel as different
as two strangers that had never meet nor are from the same country.
In my opinion I believe that’s what David Malouf’s short story “the only speaker of his tongue"
was trying to express and make the audience aware of as not only he has created
and imbedded this idea in our heads, he made us think clearly about
it and how endangered languages are going to affect people in certain ways and
aspects if they weren’t saved.
You made some very interesting observations of the text, and I strongly agree with your statement that "people who speak the same language are united by sense of commonness therefore it would be easier for them to interact and know each other and connect amongst themselves.". You made some very interesting interpretations and provided good evidence for these. Which passage in the text resonates with you the most? Keep up the work! :)
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