Esperanto and Cultural Combination

Esperanto and Cultural Combination Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 26, 2009 in Esperanto Language

Here’s something to think about today. If Esperanto happened to become the world’s second language, as we all hope it someday will, do you think that it would cause a homogenization of cultures? Or perhaps it would consume every culture and unite it under the single banner of Esperanto culture?

My neighbor, a student of history, asked me to consider the above. He reasoned that language constitutes a large part of a culture’s identity, and if so, it is possible that multiple cultures when utilizing a shared language might experience some blending of their respective cultures. The result on a large scale could be a single, motley culture that arises from the combined aspects of various ways of thinking!

On the other hand, there is always the chance that world cultures could remain relatively stagnant as they are. The sole change from having Esperanto be the world’s second language could be that a definitive Esperanto culture would arise at last – and it would be the aggregate of all the world’s cultures! It’s a bit difficult to envision, I admit, but perhaps it’s not too improbable.

Per usual, any thoughts? There have been some good points made in previous discussions. Let your voice be heard!

Tags: discussion

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Comments:

Nicolas Maia:

I think that maybe both things can happen simultaneously…
Kunar:

Well, the rise of an Esperanto culture has already happened! And yes, it borrows from many different cultures over the world. Most interesting it is unimportant how powerful the language itself is on a wordwild scale – the speakers decide whether they want such a culture or not.

Think about it: With English as the most important language used in international communication, according to your thought isn’t there a risk that the cultures linked to other languages are at risk? (I don’t want to imply that “yes” or “no”, it’s just a thing to consider.)
Michael:

I think a general homogenization around the globe as technology develops is inevitable. In the past, vast oceans kept people and cultures apart. Now — with things like the Internet — we’re all a few clicks away from each other.

I think Esperanto would be one of elements that might speed homogenization along. Right now, I can watch Koren TV, but I have no idea what they’re saying, so I can’t integrate their cultural ideas into mine.

Michael

Michael
Formiko:

Actually, the US spoke English, yet we had a horrible Civil War (there is still a divide between Northern and Southern cultures), yet we both spoke English.
Nu, mia bopatrino malamas min, kaj ni parolas la saman lingvon 🙂
Capital Z:

I would hardly call Portugal and Brazil “homogenous” and yet they share a common language. Canada and Jamaica? Same language. Not homogenous. Dutch Antilles is one country, with one language, but homogeneity is not a feature.
Lex:

Mi bedauxras, Formiko! Via ekzemplo estas bona pruvo!

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