Languages - Tools or Weapons?

When I moved back to Quebec this summer I told myself that I would try to not get involved in politics. I have very little respect for most politicians as I find that they are egotistical, power hungry people who allow their beliefs to be twisted by the essence of power that they smell.

One of the reasons I left this province back in 1992 was the politics. I had seen too many hours (days!, years!) of conversation wasted on the topic. Family arguments, doors slammed, glasses of wine poured on heads, yelling, a family split apart all due to the f-ing politicians whose goal it is to divide and conquer. Shame to those who allowed the politicians to take language and make it a weapon in their war for votes. Shame on those who continue to make this an issue.

My view of the world is that communication is vital. To resolve disputes, to create, to love, to share ideas, to better the world. There are many ideas lying within individuals all over the world yet they remain hidden from us all - from the world - because the person holding the secret is unable to communicate it. It could be for reasons of repression or it could be because they have no common tool with others - no common language. Therefore the more languages we all know the better - wouldn't you agree.

So back to Quebec and what led me to write this ideeah - Bill 104. This law is yet another harebrained attempt by the Parti Quebecois to limit access to English education. When will the supporters of this political band of nuts simply understand that all these twits are doing is trying to control you and your freedom of choice. Don't take French or English and turn them into weapons....rather cherish them as tools.

Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!

Comments

alcino said…
Humans will always use language as a tool and also as a weapon. But there will be one time, very very far away in the future where it probably will be only "one language" on earth, or may be not if the humankind extinguishes before getting at that level of evolution. If however humans succed to survive that far away, that universal language will problably be a very modified English that even people who speak English in our days would not be able to understand. At that stage of evolution the very concept "English language" would not make sense anymore, those "humans of the future" will call "it" simply "the language", no more stupid arguments, politics and fights about language itself, but human beings being what they are... they still will use the language not only as a TOOL but also as a WEAPON. They will use it not only to express their ideas, their thoughts, their love but they also will always use it as a WEAPON. Words can hurt and hurt really badly... Nevertheless, at least everybody on this planet will be able to understand what everybody is speaking or writing about and there will no more b.s. as far language(s) is concerned if by that time... very very far away in the future human beings will still be among the living creatures of Planet Earth...
October 25, 2009
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