| Marcelo Dascal Endangered Languages | 
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All the above efforts, be they politically or scientifically
inspired, were based, as we have seen, on the Genesis assumption
that there was something intrinsically pernicious in the multiplicity
of natural languages. I want now to explore with you the possibility
of an alternative view. A view that considers the multiplicity
of languages beneficial to humankind, an asset, rather than a
liability.
latiku is the mother goddess of the Acoma tribe of New Mexico. Her name has been chosen --- quite appropriately, as you will see -- as the title for the Newsletter of the recently created Foundation for Endangered Languages, whose first issue appeared in May 1995.
Iatiku's reason for multiplying languages -- the
reduction of quarrels among men -- is, on the face of it, quite
puzzling. Why would she think so? I can only guess -- and you
probably too. But at least she considered linguistic multiplicity
as positive rather than negative. Her view -- whatever
her reasons -- offers a welcome alternative to the predominant
Babelian paradigm. It is certainly worthwhile to explore the possibility
opened by the Acoma myth.
Regardless of Iatiku's own reasons, I think there
are powerful arguments in favor of a positive attitude
towards the multiplicity of languages. I will try to spell out
some of them. These arguments will be of different kinds:
Arguments in favor of Language multiplicity