Linguistic movement..... a reflection of society?

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[umas]

Easy. . . .

As a spectator of society and student of language, I have been pondering the fusion of languages and their reflection in society. . . . if I think of British English I see how it has and continues to be infused with U. S.  American English, arguably as a result of imported media. . . . or the same situation in Switzerland as Swissgerman incorporates ever more High German (Germany), or the way dialects of French are brought into conformity with standardised French. . . . . I suspect that such patterns are repeated in other places with other languages too. . .     
 I am wondering if it is a negative thing, to have cultural content removed and identifying characteristics broken down, if this is a reflection of the the power structures' attempts to homogenize groups liguistically in order to centralise and effectively distribute power over the people. . . .  or if unintentionally the effects are positive, to ignite sparks of unity as through common cultural and linguistic expression barriers will be broken down and society may move towards a communal upliftment. . . . . .
 Seen, just as some aspects of language degrade and die others are created and strengthened. . . . .
I'm interested to hear viewpoints. . . .

umas

[surfmon~I]

Bredren Umas,
  I think it the second of the two.  Language is ever changing and the root of one may be found in the mutation as it progress, or digress.
  I say digress because the point at which overstanding decreases and instead, effort is made at the break-down and comprehension of language, we loose something in the translation.  Look at what happens HERE at ones going ovah board with "rasta" speak.  In the attempt at conveying and Idea, we must swim through and endless amounts of "I"s and "InI"s at the cost of actually seeing what is trying to be conveyed.
  As with most interactions, attention must be given to the ones we are reaching out to, if they do not get it ( what we are saying) then really we are just speaking to hear ourselves talk.
  I do not think Language is definitively controlled by any "power structure" rather, it is due to a closeness of the people and identification that mutations occur.

NuffLove~S~

[Oskar]

I'm confused by people talking about good and evil like it is two different things. It is just a thing and the lack of it. Take away goodness and what remains is evil. You can never introduce evil, only take away good.

[JAHwalkwidme]

Surfmon I, "Rasta speak" is a reclaiming of control over language, as we currently use the language of the slave masters.  It is a matter of manipulation, and that manner of speaking is making a point in itself.  The language of a people reflects its values or beliefs and as such a western language is not totally suited to discussing RasTafarI or anything spiritual, really.  Why is there no English word for chi or Tao or Ba?

And in answer to your question, umas, I believe it is a negative if it is one-sided, which it generally is, as that's basically cultural imperialism.

[umas]

I like the different trails of thought expressed here....On the one hand, I hear the feeling  Surfmon refers to, for despite the linguistic sophistication of Iyaric I do find that  it doesn't always roll off the tongue with the same ease as "standard" English...some may memorise and incorporate Iyaric into sentences with ease....for others it may present a greater challenge, although thought before speech can't hurt....On the other hand, as Jahwalkwidme points out there is a need to reclaim control over language...but just as a language is a reflection of a peoples values and beliefs,  I contend that said values and beliefs may also be influenced by language....when I am pondering the effect of language it is in that context....I am also thinking of the bond between academics and government, both of whom play roles in the official versions of language...the academics through the educational system for example, the government through applied mass media....I suppose it is similar to the "chicken & egg" type of discussion regarding the influences Life and Art have upon oneanother....
 Goin back to Iyaric, I'm reminded of the balance of subtlety and energetic vigour in the writing Sistah Vee blessed us with....she didn't shy away from either "standard" English nor Iyaric, but used them both with elegance...shame she isn't here to enlighten with her veiwpoints....but I give thanks for all those who offer insights into I & I trails of thought :-)

[JAHwalkwidme]

I would say that values and beliefs are influenced by language in that we categorise the world with language and as such it determines the position of and creates lines of difference or separateness between things.

That said, I think that you can overstand concepts beyond language, that is why new words are created.  And as I said I think English is a very poor language for spiritual discussion, but hey, we are here managing it, maybe using more words than another language would use but still getting our message across.

It is a most interesting topic though you could talk about it forever and ever.

Jah bless

[umas]

Fine by me....bring it on

[I-sciple.]

Language or speech is but a small part of communication. Not all language is verbal.

Blessed Love.