Embracing English

In earlier times upon the earth, people lived scattered in essentially isolated tribes, each with it's own separate language or dialect, each entirely incomprehensible to any other. Mostly, these tribes lived in fear and ignorance of one another, territorial divisions sustained by constant conflict, collective prejudices nurtured by the community and passed down from one generation to the next.

In those days, there was no real communication between tribes. There were no common languages, little to communicate if there were, and geography generally discouraged even the opportunity.

Then, the wheel was invented, and we were off and running. People started traveling, and started mingling.

Nowadays, tribal divisions have all but disappeared. The idea and identity of historical collectives lingers on, yet more as the memories and remnants of an earlier time.

The new reality is that we are now one people upon the earth. Around the world, individuals exchange ideas in an instant. The internet has allowed an unprecedented opportunity to communicate, educate, exchange, and inspire. Even the recent development of big screen, high definition TVs allows a more intimate and moving view of the world around us.

In this unfolding global village, it is inevitable that a single global language is emerging. Contrary to the convictions of many, this is not leading to a single, homogeneous global culture. Just the opposite. The values and virtues of all cultures are being brought into the world. Our lives are being enriched by the wisdom and experience of all.

Equally, the vices and oppressions of some societies are becoming clear and obvious to all, including the citizens of these cultures. Repressive regimes maintain their tyranny by restricting and denying communication and information. Linguistic barriers achieve the same effect. An inability to communicate clearly and directly achieves the same mutual isolation and intellectual impoverishment. Oppressed people do not really understand their own situation without context to other societies.

Inevitably, there will be those who feel offended or threatened as the world embraces a common language. A tribalist perspective remains deep in our understanding of "who we are". The idea of "my people"- viewing the world in terms of racial divisions- has been ingrained for so many millenniums that it requires constant reassessment and reminder of the new reality that we are truly one people now.

The true foundation of "who we are" is that we are each a unique individual. I am not my race, my language, my region, or my country. Equally, I recognise and consider others as individuals. I would not hesitate a moment, were a language other than my own emerging as the common language of the world, to apply myself to learn this new language. It would not be a threat to my own identity or values. It would have the opposite effect. It would allow me to communicate with everyone.

At some point, we must find the courage of consensus to understand that the emerging global language has become English. This is not a victory for English (or "the English), as if triumphant from some great battle, all other languages having been mercilessly ground into submission. It is just the new reality.

It has become the responsibility of every conscientious parent to make sure that their children are comfortably fluent in English. This ensures that they are comfortable throughout their country and in the world, able to communicate clearly and easily with all. This ensures that they can be enriched by the abundance and opportunity of the internet, and share their lives with all.

I offer that it is Canada's time to lead the world in embracing English as our single official language, as an inspiration and example of a people big enough to change when the time has come, and when change is right.