Reporting Statements

Chapter: Debate of using a single language or multiple language

Some important points presented by Karma to support the use of a single language include:

• Using the same language promotes understanding and global fraternity, allowing people to communicate easily without any problems.
• A single language would promote learning and the flow of information and ideas, and would not require the use of translation or interpretation.
• Using a single language would minimize various costs associated with communication, such as translation and interpretation, and would help international business and the global economy.
• Having a single language that is intelligible to all would aid in solving national and international security problems.

Some important points presented by Kabita to support the use of multiple languages include:

• Language and culture are closely related, and the loss of languages leads to the loss of cultural diversity.
• Cultural and linguistic diversity have a reciprocal relationship, and the loss of languages would result in the loss of cultures, leading to the collapse of the tourism industry and a decline in national economies that rely on tourism.
• The use of a single language can create identity problems for ethnic groups with their own language and culture.
• A single global language would lead to linguistic imperialism, with the dominance of one language over others, leading to linguistic and cultural homogenization.

Vocabulary in use

Find the following words in the text above, and figure out their meanings in context.

degeneration, perspective, disappear,unintelligible, promote, investigate

Word in the context: Every year, several languages die out.
Meaning: disappear

Word in the context: Language influences our thought and our thought influences reality of the world around us.
Meaning: perspective

Word in the context: With their death, the knowledge inherent there dies too.
Meaning: degeneration

Word in the context: It means we perceive the world as per our linguistic background.
Meaning: perspective

Word in the context: Not only this, if a language is intelligible for all, members of security forces can easily investigate and understand national and international criminal plans.
Meaning: investigate

Word in the context: Cultural diversity boosts tourism because it attracts tourists from different parts of the world.
Meaning: promote

Find the following words in the text above, and underline their best synonyms next to them.

determine: fix on; discover; influence
diversity: difference; similarity; variety
inherent: intrinsic; extrinsic; built in
integrity: togetherness; incompleteness; entirety
dialect: standard form; vernacular language; regional variety
reciprocal: interactive; complementary; one-way

Answer these questions.

a. Who are the two speakers in the debate?

The two speakers in the debate are Karma and Kabita.

b. Who is the supporter of fewer languages?

Karma is the supporter of fewer languages.

c. What do Karma and Kabita claim?

Karma claims that using a single language promotes understanding and global fraternity, helps promote learning and the flow of information and ideas, and can minimize various costs associated with communication such as translation and interpretation. Kabita claims that using fewer languages creates identity problems for ethnic groups, leads to linguistic imperialism and cultural homogenization, and causes the loss of cultures and the collapse of the tourism industry.

d. Which language is supposed to have a musical quality?

The language that is supposed to have a musical quality is Sanskrit.

e. What brings variety in literature?

Kabita claims that cultural and linguistic diversity bring variety in literature.

f. What can minimise communication barrier?

Karma claims that using a single language can minimize communication barriers.

g. Write down any three benefits of having fewer languages.

Three benefits of having fewer languages mentioned in the text include: promoting understanding and global fraternity, helping to promote learning and the flow of information and ideas, and minimizing various costs associated with communication such as translation and interpretation.

h. Mention any three benefits of having many languages in the world.

Three benefits of having many languages in the world mentioned in the text include: language influences thought and thought influences reality, cultural and linguistic diversity bring variety in literature, and cultural and linguistic diversity boost tourism and support national economies that rely on the tourism industry.

Including the points that you have noted during reading, summarise the texts above.

In the debate on whether using a single language is better than multiple languages, Karma presents arguments in support of using a single language. Karma argues that using a single language promotes understanding and global fraternity, helps promote learning and the flow of information and ideas, and can minimize various costs associated with communication such as translation and interpretation. Karma also asserts that a single language can aid in solving national and international security problems.

Kabita presents arguments in support of using multiple languages. Kabita argues that language influences thought and thought influences reality, and that each language carries its own culture. Kabita claims that cultural and linguistic diversity have a reciprocal relationship and that the loss of languages would result in the loss of cultures, leading to the collapse of the tourism industry and a decline in national economies that rely on tourism. Kabita also asserts that using fewer languages creates identity problems for ethnic groups and leads to linguistic imperialism and cultural homogenization. Kabita argues that cultural and linguistic diversity bring variety in literature and boost tourism and support national economies that rely on the tourism industry.

Read the text again, and decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Karma supports that the fewer the languages are, the easier the life will be. → True
2. He claims that a global village is possible through the development of technology. → True
3. The Nepali language is said to have a musical quality. → False
4. Kabita questions the practicability and possibility of using a single language across the globe. → True
5. She argues that if we use fewer languages, it may create identity problems. → True

Grammar

Tick (✓) the correct indirect speech for the following direct expressions.

i. Palten says, “I have won the match.
a. Palten says that he has won the match.
b. Palten says that he had won the match.
c. Palten said that he had won the match. (✓)
d. Palten said that I had won the match.

ii. Yangchen said, “I don’t like to study all the time.”
a. Yangchen said that he doesn’t like to study all the time. (✓)
b. Yangchen said that he doesn’t like to study all the time. (✓)
c. Yangchen said that he doesn’t like to study all the time. (✓)
d. Yangchen said that I don’t like to study all the time

Read the direct speech below, and complete the indirect reporting that follows.

a. “I overslept this morning.”
Sankalpa said that he overslept this morning.

b. “The earth moves round the sun.”
Durgaman told me that the earth moves round the sun.

c. “I’m tired.”
Hiramaya says that she is tired.

d. “John had an accident.”
Bidhya said that John had an accident.

e. “I was working until ten o’clock last night.”
Ashim said that he was working until ten o’clock last night.

f. “When I got there, the place was almost empty.”
Sandesh said that when he got there, the place was almost empty.

g. “I enjoyed myself last night.”
Anu said that she enjoyed herself last night.

h. “Pujan’s living with her husband now.”
Sujata said that Pujan is living with her husband now.

i. “I’m meeting John tonight.”
Dhanesh said that he is meeting John tonight.

j. “It’s raining cats and dogs here.”
She told me that it was raining cats and dogs there.

Writing

People have their own customs, beliefs, art, way of life and social organisations. They are the backbone of civilisation and identity. Nowadays, due to western influence we are neglecting our own culture and following the western culture. This leads us to nowhere. Write an essay on “Our Culture, Our Identity” in about 300 words.

Our culture is the sum total of our way of life, including our customs, beliefs, art, and social organizations. It is the backbone of our civilization and shapes our identity as individuals and as a society. However, in recent times, the influence of Western culture has caused many people to neglect their own culture and adopt Western customs and ways of life.

This trend towards Westernization is particularly evident in the way we dress, the food we eat, and the music we listen to. Many people, particularly younger generations, aspire to dress and look like Western celebrities, and Western fast food chains and music have become ubiquitous in our communities. While it is natural to be influenced by other cultures, it is important that we do not completely abandon our own.

Our culture is what sets us apart and makes us unique. It is an integral part of our identity and should be celebrated and preserved. When we neglect our own culture and blindly follow the Western way of life, we risk losing touch with our roots and our sense of belonging.

Furthermore, the adoption of Western culture often leads to the erosion of traditional values and practices that have been passed down through generations. These values and practices may not always align with Western norms and may be deemed "backward" or "primitive", leading to their eventual disappearance. This is a great loss, as traditional values and practices often hold valuable lessons and wisdom that can be passed down to future generations.

In conclusion, it is important that we preserve and celebrate our culture as it is an integral part of our identity and what sets us apart as individuals and as a society. While it is natural to be influenced by other cultures, we should not completely abandon our own in favor of Western ways of life. By preserving and valuing our culture, we can ensure that it is passed down to future generations and continue to enrich the world with our unique perspective and traditions.

What do you think about the value of native language in your community? Prepare a debate for or against the statement “Native language is better than the English language.”

Note: The question asks for a debate either for or against the statement, but we have presented arguments for both sides.

For the motion: Native language is better than the English language

Mr. Chairperson, esteemed panelists, and fellow members of the community. I stand before you today to argue for the motion that native language is better than the English language.

Firstly, I would like to address the notion that the English language is a universal language and therefore superior to all other languages. While it is true that English is spoken by a large number of people around the world and is used as a lingua franca in many international settings, this does not necessarily make it a superior language. Each language has its own unique beauty, history, and cultural significance, and no one language can be considered inherently superior to another.

Now, let us consider the value of native language in our own community. Our native language is an integral part of our cultural identity and forms the basis of our cultural heritage. It is the language that we use to communicate with our family, friends, and neighbors, and it is the language that holds our collective memories and traditions. To abandon our native language in favor of English would be to abandon a vital part of who we are as a community.

Furthermore, the use of native language has been shown to have numerous cognitive and social benefits. Studies have shown that being proficient in multiple languages can improve problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as promote cultural understanding and tolerance. By promoting the use of native language, we can nurture these skills and values in our community.

In conclusion, I argue that native language is just as valuable, if not more so, than the English language. It is an integral part of our cultural identity and has numerous cognitive and social benefits. We should embrace and celebrate our native language, rather than abandoning it in favor of English or any other language.

Against the motion: English language is better than the native language

Mr. Chairperson, esteemed panelists, and fellow members of the community. I stand before you today to argue against the motion that native language is better than the English language.

Firstly, I would like to address the notion that English is a universal language and therefore superior to all other languages. While it is true that English is spoken by a large number of people around the world and is used as a lingua franca in many international settings, this does not necessarily make it a superior language. Each language has its own unique beauty, history, and cultural significance, and no one language can be considered inherently superior to another.

However, I argue that the English language does have certain advantages that make it particularly valuable in today's globalized world. English is the most widely spoken language in the world and is the language of business, science, and technology. As such, being proficient in English can greatly enhance career opportunities and access to information. By learning English, we can open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and opportunities that may not be available to us if we rely solely on our native language.

Furthermore, the English language has a rich literary tradition and is the language of many of the world's greatest works of literature. By learning English, we can expand our cultural horizons and gain access to a vast array of knowledge and ideas that may not be available in our native language.

In conclusion, while I do not believe that any one language is inherently superior to another, I argue that the English language does have certain advantages that make it particularly valuable in today's globalized world. It is the language of business, science, and technology, and it has a rich literary tradition. By learning English, we can open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and expand our cultural horizons.