mini lecture link:

FAQ1: Would English be a Lingua Franca since it’s spoken worldwide, but it isn’t the mother tongue of many places? For example, China. And what do you mean by English being Lingua Franca in North America? Isn’t English the mother tongue of North America?

A: Yes, English can be considered the global lingua franca currently. A mother tongue can also be a lingua franca of a region, but English is not the mother tongue of N. America. The continent has at least three countries and each has at least hundreds of native languages.

What are your perspectives on these issues? What’s the difference between mother tongue and lingua franca? What are some mother tongues of North America for indigenous peoples?

FAQ2: Is English the internet’s dominant language because of where there is internet availability around the globe or is it just because its a universal language?

A: It’s mainly because of English being the modern lingua franca of globalization, which the internet plays a huge contributing role in spreading. We see this played out via its increase of speed in commerce and trade, its spread of ideas and information to previously unconnected places, and therefore also in its contributions to the erosion of place-based uniqueness and cultural characteristics of many regions (a potential example bad geography because it can create disharmony and conflict) e.g. multi-national media corporations’ broadcasts. However, the spread of ideas and information via the internet can also foster good geography, i.e. help minimize conflict and increase harmony; e.g. awareness of Orange Shirt Day working towards reconciliation efforts for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 

What are your perspectives on this catch-22/ double-edged sword of the internet and globalization?

FAQ3: What other benefits occur when someone is bilingual? Do you believe it helps someone become more connected to other cultures?

A: One big benefit is it that bilingualism fosters multicultural awareness and understanding. Social scientists say that language is the lens of culture. Therefore knowing a language gives deep insight into a culture: e.g. the Chinese character for “good” “?” depicts a mom and son together.

What insights do you see into our culture or another from language? 

Class mates post 1:A nation’s language contains a nation’s unique traditional culture, mode of thinking, social psychology, ethnic customs, value orientation, social concepts and so on. It is the tool of human thinking and communication. All kinds of human creations often need to be recorded and consolidated with the help of words or languages. Most ancient characters are pictographs, which are more expressive. For example, through a variety of books and the research summary of scholars in past dynasties, we have analyzed that the oracle bones on the oracle bones unearthed in ancient China Yin Ruins were mostly used for divination and sacrifice. The ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurabi reveals the spiritual core of the Babylonians’ pursuit of truth, justice and wisdom.

Class mates post 2:Learning the origins of a language can be beneficial in many ways. For instance, if you were to learn the roots of the English language you would be better able to understand the intended meaning in many geographical locations names, what the roots of words are supposed to convey, and you would have a better foundation in learning different languages! Many languages are direct descendants of Latin as well as many borrowings from other languages! Not only would it be highly educational but it’d be practical in expanding vocabulary, learning new languages, and it’s fun to see how languages have changed over time. For instance, if you were familiar with Old Spanish you could deduce that California is likely derived from “Calit Fornay” meaning hot furnace which isn’t a stretch given the temperatures in Southern CA in the summer!