Togolese Academics Battle for Linguistic Heritage
By: Lisa Bryant
July 12, 2013
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July 12, 2013
Click here to read this article
Summary
Togo, home to 39 different tongues, also some 2,000 languages, has been acknowledge by many people. However, recently it has been found that only several academics are trying to preserve one of their language heritage. Gen, one of the most important myriad ethnic groups there, is starting to lose itself. Gen language has been spoken widely in the capital, but for some reason, schools are not teaching them anymore. So professors around in the University of Lome are doing their best to revive the teaching of Gen language once again.
My Thoughts, Comments, and/or Reaction
Preservation of a language seems hard to me. However, I think the need of it is very important. It being one your language heritage must definitely be preserved. No one would want their own language to die out. Keeping the language alive will play a huge part in tomorrow's culture. There's ought to be a efficient way to keep languages like these alive because no one would know what it could contribute to tomorrow.
Article's Relation to Culture
Language is a very important part of culture. It establishes what it's identity is. While preserving it is necessary, people also need to do their best on their part. When they battle to keep their language alive, its not that easy. Everyone would have to work together. One's language is very important to one's culture. Culture just wouldn't be culture if their language was lost.