Language and identity Notes

Solution

Many students complain that learning another language means endless lists and grammar drills. It feels like extra weight on top of exams. But a language is not just another subject. It is part of how we see ourselves, and how others see us.

Think of the student who speaks Spanish with family and English at school. Beyond simply switching words, they switch worlds. At home, jokes, traditions, and small habits belong to one culture. At school, another set of values takes over. Living in both spaces gives them flexibility that monolingual students often lack.

There is also a practical side. Employers in almost every field want people who can cross cultures. Multilingual workers understand more clients, travel more easily, and adapt faster. Studies even suggest that juggling two languages sharpens memory and focus. These are advantages you carry for life.

Still, the argument is not only about careers. Language shapes belonging. Festivals, songs, even the way grandparents tell stories, all are tied to the words we use. Lose the language, and you lose part of that bond. Yet global languages like English and Mandarin can expand our horizons. The real strength is when you hold both: roots in one culture, wings in another.

Schools can help. Cultural days, exchange trips, or simply reading in more than one language make diversity feel normal. The more we practise this, the less it feels like study, and the more it feels like identity.

Solution

Preserving Voices, Preserving Identity

Good morning everyone,

I want to start with a simple fact: every two weeks, somewhere in the world, a language disappears. When that happens, we lose more than just words. We lose a way of understanding life. A language is not just vocabulary, it carries history, humour, and culture. Once it is gone, there is no way back.

Think about what this means. If your grandmother tells a story in her first language, she is passing down something unique. Translate it into English or Mandarin, and something will always be missing. The rhythm, the jokes, the small cultural references, they vanish. This is why preserving languages matters. It is not about being sentimental. It is about identity.

At the same time, we live in a globalised world. English dominates the internet, science, and international business. Mandarin has become a passport for trade across Asia. For students like us, knowing a global language is essential. It gives access to education and careers that would otherwise be closed. But my challenge for you is this: how do we value global connection without silencing local voices?

Examples exist. In New Zealand, the revival of te reo Māori has strengthened community pride, even while English remains dominant. In Wales, school policies requiring Welsh have helped more young people see the language as modern, not outdated. These cases prove that it is possible to protect minority languages while also preparing for a globalised future.

So what can be done? Schools are on the front line. They can offer subjects in local languages alongside global ones. Governments can invest in media, radio, television, online platforms, that broadcast in minority tongues. And young people, especially, can make a difference. Social media is full of creative voices; imagine if more of those posts, videos, and podcasts were made in endangered languages. Instead of dying, those languages could gain new life.

Some critics say it is unrealistic to expect students to study both local and global languages. But this is a false choice. Bilingual or even trilingual education is common in many countries. It doesn’t confuse children, it empowers them. The real confusion comes when students are told their home language doesn’t matter.

In the end, this is not about saving “old words” for museums. It is about deciding what kind of future we want. A future where only a handful of voices dominate, or one where every community feels its identity is respected. If we believe in equality, then we must also believe in linguistic equality. Preserving languages is not optional. It is a responsibility we share.

Thank you.