I was aware of the word 'Lunfardo'. But I didn't know its meaning and the sort of slang that it is behind this word.
From a very long time ago my opinion is that the more you pay attention to anything the more you get aware of everything.
I recalled the above concept when I read the Carla's 'Lunfardo' explanation. I knew the word although I didn't know the meaning just because the word Lunfardo is within the lyrics of a Joaquin Sabina's song. There you are!
I felt another point of interest from the Lunfardo and Cockney existence. Can we imagine the variety of languages, dialects and slangs worldwide? If these days we met two slangs can we reckon how many hundreds or even thousands may be around the world?
The world of languages to me is actually fascinating.
I made a quick search based on Unesco data and found that currently in the world there are some 6,000 languages (dialects and other variations not accounted). Out of that number roughly 50% are in danger of disappearance before the end of this century!!! We may believe it or not but this has been stated for long time by bodies not directly political driven. And the studies supporting this were made by very qualified linguistics professionals.
If the former information is not enough think on the following: more than 200 languages have died in the last three generations elapsed time. And currently 538 languages are in 'critical situation' plus 502 in 'serious danger'.
A desolating panorama, don't you think so?
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It's very sad I think because, as linguists know, when a language dies, so does a way of thinking, along with a few words one might suspect. I read about a tribe and a language in the Amazon, which are in danger, and the language was really interesting, as well as the people. They don't talk in the past tense and seem to remember very little about the past, except maybe a death; otherwise the past is not talked about. The same with the future. Which I think we could learn a lot from - they are content to live in the present! Another interesting thing for me was that they talk about their dreams as soon as they wake up, even if it's the middle of the night, and they seem to see this as another realm, perhaps another reality, AND they dream things they have never seen, which I found strange as I always thought dreams were mixed up images that our eyes have already seen, but apparently not...
ReplyDeleteBut on the other hand, maybe it is evolution as more languages are born, although I don't think the number being born is as high as the number dying. Spanglish for example is now regarded by many as a language in its own right and I've heard it can even be studied at some American universities.
I think English is a good international language as it gives itself to adaptation so easily, but I hope it doesn't take over the world complately!
See you tomorrow
Felicity
Yes, Michel I agree with you, the langagues and their evolution or regression is something fascinaiting, that`s why I admire the Catalan`s behavior, in order to defend the language, which is, as Felicity said, a way of thinking. Few days ago I was reading at the newspaper about a congress of traduccion which took place in Europe and the claim of those professionals was the protection of the languages against the English, I don`t think that the english would replace the others languages in a near future, but is true that in many areas the ignorance of it, make you feel like an illiterate.
ReplyDeleteSee you ina few hours !!!!