Qualities of an international language?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the qualities that define an international language, with participants exploring concepts related to universality, neutrality, and cultural implications. The context includes considerations for an essay on languages.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that an international language should embody universality and cultural neutrality, avoiding bias towards any specific culture.
  • One participant suggests that the significance of an international language lies in its ability to facilitate interactions between nations and cultures.
  • Another participant mentions that math functions universally across languages, implying a potential model for language qualities.
  • A later reply questions the definitions of "qualities" and "international," suggesting that the characteristics of languages like French, English, and Spanish may stem more from their associated cultures than the languages themselves.
  • One participant refers to Esperanto as an example of a constructed language intended to serve as a universal means of communication.
  • Another participant argues that English is not yet a truly global language since it is not an official language in all countries, citing China as an example.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on what constitutes an international language, with no consensus reached on specific qualities or definitions. Multiple competing perspectives remain regarding the role of culture and the effectiveness of existing languages.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying interpretations of what constitutes "qualities" and "international," as well as the potential cultural biases inherent in existing languages.

Kushal
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what would be the qualities of an international language?

this is part of my essay on languages; i need some ideas...

thnks
 
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You know the rules about coursework What ideas do you have?
 
what i came up with are universality and neutrality in culture. The language should not be biased towards a particular culture.
 
English ... Spoken ... Slowly ... And ... Loudly.

Edit: This is way cool. I shouted, and some filter toned it down.

SHOUT
 
Last edited:
Math works in any language.
 
Kushal said:
what i came up with are universality and neutrality in culture. The language should not be biased towards a particular culture.
Try to elaborate on universality. What is significant about an international language? What is the purpose of language? What kind of interactions occur between nations/cultures?
 
i think I'm choosing another topic for the essay: 'How global warming will affect Mauritius?'

the language essay is far beyond me. thanks anyway... :)
 
What do you mean by "qualities", and "international"? You could as well ask, "what are the qualities of French, English, and Spanish?" Those are some of the most international of languages. The qualities making them international may arguably not be within the languages, but instead be within the cultures which made the languages become international.
 
the essay question was more towards a language which would be really international. a language which would be the second official language of all countries(except england, US,...).

just like they developed the esperanto years back. it was meant to be a universal language whereby everyone one would learn it, and then be able to communicate.

english language is not yet a global language because there are still some countries which do not include it as an official language. (i think china is an example)
 

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