Skip to content
The lingwist

The lingwist

The Lingwist is the home for everyone who is passionate about language and linguistics. Feel free to share, discuss, and comment. The Lingwist's motto is " Learn & have fun"

  • Home
  • Discourse Analysis
  • Business Communication
  • English
    • Applied Linguistics
    • Core Linguistics
    • Grammar
    • Vocabulary
    • Functions
  • Composition
  • Privacy Policy!
  • About us
  • Contact Us!
  • Toggle search form
man shocked looking at computer e1548440941777.jpg

4 Myths about language everyone should not believe

Posted on August 13, 2020December 1, 2021 By The Lingwist
https://bestlifeonline.com/awesome-facts/
Source: Bestlifeonline.com

 

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Myth 1: Some Languages are superior

It is widely believed that some languages are inferior or unable to go hand in hand with scientific evolution. English, for instance, is seen as the only powerful language and lingua franca since it is the language of communication, business, air traffic, and scientific publications.

Conversely enough, many researchers and linguists like Ray Harlow have demonstrated that it is a fallacy to think so. Harlow has provided many instances that go against the claims of the laypeople. The main instance is the Maori language. The indigenous speakers decided to revive, use, and institutionalize the language. Over years, they succeeded in reviving and empowering the language. Now Maori has become a widely used language in New Zealand.

american 1209605 960 720

Myth 2: The dichotomy of the East and the West

Another idea is that a lot of people all over the globe discard using or learning new languages or using their mother tongues for many reasons including economic, political, ethnic, and mostly religious ones. For instance, the dichotomy of the East and the West in the minds of the laypeople led to the new phase of clashes; the linguistic one. Some think a lot of languages are ugly, rude, barbaric, or even useless. Additionally, speakers of pro-European languages adhere to the claim that any language that cannot explain nuclear physics or produces knowledge should be doomed.

Myth 3: Languages and the colonial legacy

There is a widespread claim that many languages are imposed and part of the colonial legacy. These powerful languages wiped out all the indigenous languages; thus, they should be banned. For the opponents, English for example maintains its position as a powerful language just because it is the first language that borrows a huge number of vocabulary and words from different languages.

Myth 4: Media are ruining languages

One of the other misleading facts people have about languages is that media are ruining languages especially English. Media are accused of being a linguistic criminal for corrupting languages. Many laypeople strongly condemn how journalists and news reports deteriorate the usual use of official languages. They are scared of making the abnormal normal. For some, journalists have no respect for the rules of language and all their concern is to communicate ideas and this leads to publishing very low-quality work in terms of word choice and sometimes grammar. But for linguists like Aitchison, it is a very wrong idea. Media are just linguistic mirrors reflecting the language use in society. As proof, people keep reading and interacting with informational texts because the end purpose is to reveal ideas and not use the language to conceal them.

social media 1233873 960 720

Some things to think about

To overcome some of the misleading ideas that lead to the exclusion or underestimation of many languages, it is up to the speakers of the native languages to decide whether their language is and will be strong or not. Second, they should invent or coin new words based on the previously existing words or form new ones so as not to be left behind. Third, people should bear in mind that languages are not inferior or superior, or an intelligence measure. They are just a means of communication. Finally, language difference is a plus for human beings to think about. Language diversity is an asset and it makes the world a better place to live in.

If you like this article, please “SHARE AND CARE”.

Applied Linguistics, English

Post navigation

Previous Post: Will English be the major Lingua Franca?
Next Post: What is Critical Discourse Analysis?

Related Posts

  • Tongue Twisters Challenge
    Can You Manage These Hard Tongue Twisters In 14 Different Languages?+ Video English
  • Honest
    Want to sound smarter? Avoid these 10 Words Applied Linguistics
  • Why do many people think that French people are verbose?
    Why do French people talk too much? English
  • mobile phone apps
    5 Best Apps Everyone Should Have in the phone Applied Linguistics
  • Mind Your own Business in different languages
    How to Say “Mind Your Own Business” in Different Languages Applied Linguistics
  • istockphoto 1254994312 170667a e1637102253133
    4 Golden Steps to Easily Learn Any Language Through Music Applied Linguistics

Categories

  • Applied Linguistics
  • Business Communication
  • Composition
  • Core Linguistics
  • Discourse Analysis
  • English
  • Functions
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • photo 1600411106965 fb4a66f92166
    What is semantics? Core Linguistics
  • what is tautology?
    Tautology: Understanding the Art of Redundancy in Language English
  • businessman holding hands up stop avoid getty.jpg
    4 mistakes to avoid while learning a new language Applied Linguistics
  • a verbal error in which a speaker accidentally transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words, often to humorous effect, as in the sentence you have hissed the mystery lectures, accidentally spoken instead of the intended sentence you have missed the history lectures.
    Spoonerisms: Hilarious Slip-Ups and Funny Language Flips English
  • Why We Love Cursing and Swear Words
    Why We Love Cursing and Swear Words English
  • PR
    Most Common Proficiency Exams: which is best for you? English
  • Passive voice
    Passive Voice Grammar
  • uZYSV4nuQeyq64azfVIn 15130980706 64134efc6e o
    Present Perfect Grammar

Copyright © 2025 The lingwist.

Powered by PressBook News WordPress theme