Would the World Be Better If Everyone Spoke the Same Language?
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Hi! I’m Evelyn. I’m from Taiwan and currently doing a Master’s degree in occupational therapy in Australia. I love meeting new people and chatting with people from different backgrounds. I’m really looking forward to having great conversations with you!
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1-minute overview
A world in which everyone shared one language could make travel, trade, education, diplomacy, and online communication easier. People might spend less time learning foreign languages or relying on interpreters, and more people could participate directly in international conversations. A common language might also reduce some misunderstandings, although shared words do not automatically create shared values or trust.
The cost could be significant. Languages carry humor, family memories, local knowledge, and distinctive ways of describing the world. If one powerful language replaced smaller ones, speakers could lose an important part of their identity, while native speakers of the chosen language might keep an unfair advantage. The question is therefore not simply whether one language is efficient, but who gets to choose it and on what terms. Translation technology offers another path: it can lower barriers without requiring people to abandon home languages. Yet technology may struggle with context, emotion, dialects, and languages with limited digital resources. UNESCO’s current International Decade of Indigenous Languages, running from 2022 to 2032, reflects the continuing importance of protecting linguistic diversity.
The cost could be significant. Languages carry humor, family memories, local knowledge, and distinctive ways of describing the world. If one powerful language replaced smaller ones, speakers could lose an important part of their identity, while native speakers of the chosen language might keep an unfair advantage. The question is therefore not simply whether one language is efficient, but who gets to choose it and on what terms. Translation technology offers another path: it can lower barriers without requiring people to abandon home languages. Yet technology may struggle with context, emotion, dialects, and languages with limited digital resources. UNESCO’s current International Decade of Indigenous Languages, running from 2022 to 2032, reflects the continuing importance of protecting linguistic diversity.
Useful vocabulary
Approx. CEFR · Topic relevance
lingua franca
A language used for communication between people with different first languages.
English often functions as a lingua franca in international business.
linguistic diversity
The presence and use of many different languages in a society or the world.
A shared global language could expand access while reducing linguistic diversity.
language shift
A gradual move by a community from using one language to using another.
Language shift can happen when parents believe the dominant language offers better opportunities.
cultural heritage
Traditions, knowledge, and forms of expression passed down through generations.
For many people, a local language is a central part of cultural heritage.
hegemony
/hɪˈdʒɛmoʊni/Dominance or strong influence by one group over others.
Choosing one global language could reinforce the cultural hegemony of its native speakers.
machine translation
Software that automatically translates text or speech between languages.
Machine translation is useful for basic information, but it can miss humor and cultural context.
Useful expressions
The main trade-off is between … and …
Use this to identify two benefits or values that may conflict.
The main trade-off is between global convenience and linguistic variety.
That depends on what we mean by …
Use this to question an unclear or overly broad idea.
That depends on what we mean by a better world.
It may level the playing field for some people, but …
Use this to recognize a benefit while introducing a limitation.
It may level the playing field for some people, but native speakers could still have an advantage.
We should distinguish between … and …
Use this to separate related ideas that should not be treated as identical.
We should distinguish between communicating efficiently and belonging to a culture.
The real issue is not whether …, but whether …
Use this to reframe the debate around a deeper concern.
The real issue is not whether one language is possible, but whether its spread would be voluntary and fair.
Question list
- Ice breaking
- Main topic
- Free talk
| Q1. | What are some of the most memorable or impactful school projects or assignments you've completed, and why did they leave such an impression? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | Where do you see yourself during your brightest moments? |
| Q3. | Where do you imagine finding your next challenge? |
| Q4. | What’s a food you want to try someday? |
| Q5. | What's your favorite way to spend a rainy day? |
| Q6. | What’s a challenge that taught you more than you ever expected to learn? |
| Q7. | What is a skill you've learned that you're proud of? |
| Q8. | When has silence spoken louder than words for you? |
| Q1. | What problems would disappear if everyone spoke one language? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | What could cultures lose if smaller languages disappeared? |
| Q3. | Would travel become more enjoyable or less interesting? |
| Q4. | Which language should the world choose, and why? |
| Q5. | Could one global language reduce unfair advantages? |
| Q6. | Would people still use local languages at home? |
| Q7. | Can translation technology offer the same benefits? |
| Q8. | Would one shared language bring people closer together? |
| Q1. | Who is someone you can call in the middle of the night? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | How do you think technology is changing the way we live? |
| Q3. | What do you think happens after life? |
| Q4. | How do you think schools can better address the unique needs and challenges faced by today's youth? |
| Q5. | Is there any technology that seems so futuristic and advanced you're surprised it actually exists? |
| Q6. | If you could instantly organize one part of your life, what would it be? |
| Q7. | How do you think we can promote greater awareness and action on plastic pollution? |
| Q8. | Do you believe in “right person, wrong time”? |
Rules
Please be kind and respectful.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
No flirting! Don't ask for other people's social network, number etc. if he/she refuses to give them.
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Give others an equal opportunity to speak.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Avoid Smoking / Drinking while you are talking.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Turning your camera on is mandatory.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
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