Should languages be protected?

[Lethos]

snip

I'm glad you commented actually because I think it's good to hear differing opinions.

You say some friends of yours learnt Welsh before they learnt English, but why did they learn English? Is it because they felt it would open up more opportunities?

Is it compulsory for teachers to speak in Welsh in schools? I have heard it's compulsory for people applying for jobs in civil service to speak Welsh, how do you feel about that?

I don't mean to target the Welsh specifically, this thread is about all languages. It's just that being English, Wales is my closest example.

 

[GonvilleBromhead]

If people want to study dying (or even dead) or minority languages, I can't see any reason to stop them. Having it as a possible school language option, etc., also seems fair enough. Not sure about it being compulsory (though they should be permitted as an option if a language is compulsory) - strikes me as forcing nationalism down ones throat.

Not sure about the minority language channel's either. Again, if a private firm wants to set up one, I wouldn't say they shouldn't - but license fee money on individual channels for each seems a bit...off - I think S4C and Alba could probably share a station, perhaps - though I'd rather see a daytime BSL channel (seriously, are deaf people supposed to be nocturnal?!)