Language Barriers

Speak a Common Language
The farthest distance is not between life or death, but when I stand in front of you yet we speak a different language and we cannot communicate with each other (Tagore 2012, p. 47). Different languages bring people too many impediments. Therefore, there should be one world language that everyone speaks to overcome language barriers, bridge the gap among different cultures, and assist the development of economy.
First of all, a common language is a bridge for helping people to overcome language barriers. According to Anderson (2012), a famous American linguist, in the world, there are about five thousand or six thousand languages (p. 28). Numerous languages in the world impede people’s verbal communication with each

Some people stress that different languages can promote communication of different cultures. Nell Lake (2002), a Harvard professor, says that language plays an important role in political conflict because language could increase tensions (Para. 5). Lack (2002) also argues that “Language is more tangible than race or religion” (Para. 8). Different languages present different race and religion. For this reason, they could lead to cultural conflicts and misunderstandings of different cultural values and beliefs, resulting in the world get unstable. Nonetheless, a common language can lessen the conflicts that are caused by different cultures, which mean people will be easier to understand other people’s thoughts or ideas and they can get along with each other harmoniously. Therefore, a common language can use the power of language, such as negotiation, rather than violence to solve problems. Moreover, a common language contributes to different culture spread and protection. Some people believe that a common language will destroy the various civilizations. However, only when every people can speak the same language to apply culture in every place, will culture be inherited by every people. Reisman (2007), an expert of culture, says that culture is inherited through social application (Para. 9). Thus, a common language is a good way to gradually form the whole civilization of humanity and protect it. In addition, people use the same language can expand their horizon and enrich their lives. While diverse languages have different cultural connotations, they also are obstacles and cannot provide free and equal learning opportunities for every people to learn knowledge. According to Van Weijen (2012), a doctor of linguistics, says there are assorted academic resources in all kinds of languages and they are shown in the table as below (Para. 3). A number of languages could impede the communication and