Mind your (own) language

Well, last week I said Prakrit (the language based for Buddhist preaching) was considered lower compared to Sanskrit during the time the Buddha existed. But it was the language (or a form of a link language) of common people.

The Buddha (who supposed to be the crown prince of his region and belonged to the highest caste) preferred Prakrit over Sanskrit for his preaching.

William Jones is also a ‘prince’ of oriental languages, whom came from Europe to work in India during the colonial times. Western world says he ‘discovered’ Sanskrit, but I wonder how he discovered something which existed several thousand years. What he did was, he conducted a comparative process among Sanskrit and other ancient European languages such as Greek and Latin. This was the first encounter of Sanskrit with European languages; The European discovery of Sanskrit. William Jones said:

‘The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both of them a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and in the forms of grammar, than could possibly have been produced by accident; so strong, indeed, that no philologer could examine them all three, without believing them to have sprung from some common source which, perhaps, no longer exists.’

Without a doubt Sanskrit IS a wonderful language. But for a linguist, there will be nothing special between Sanskrit and an Australian Aboriginal language. Comparing languages and testing what is the most superior is something least relevant in modern linguistics. Each language has unique features relevant to its own culture and etiquette.

If you consider a language as most superior you have to find out three simple things in it. Firstly it should make sense and easier to learn. Well, for me Sinhalese makes hundred percent sense for me, and feel I will learn Tamil quicker and easier other than German! (Of course if you want to imitate German you have to sound like you are choking!) But my kids would say a different story as they are more comfortable with English as they are mostly exposed to English language environment here in Australia. On the other hand, structural similarities will offer language learners some great opportunities to learn a language. For example, Sinhalese speaker would find easier to learn Japanese compared to an English speaker. Japanese is structurally quite similar to Sinhalese.

Secondly a language should be correct. Although writing grammatically is a different story, we generally speak a correct language. If not you will be probably end up meeting psychiatrist or a speech therapist which means you have a communication or mental disability. Thirdly it should be more beautiful and should sound nicer. The most beautiful words I have ever heard have come in different languages. Once I was transiting in Bangkok airport, while on the go, I accidently dropped my passport in a crowded area. With a tap on my shoulder and talking gibberish, a pretty lady handed me my lost property. That ‘gibberish’ is one of the most beautiful languages I have ever heard.

When it comes to language, mine is no better than anyone else’s. One’s own language (the language you are most competent) creates your thought and plans your future. Nothing can be compared to your own language.

Once, my Aussie friend asked me whether I am proud of my kids who speak English like real Australians. I said yes, when they are among Aussies I am proud of that. But when they speak my language at home I am prouder for preserving it in a hostile linguistic environment.