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Many conflicts of this world are believed to be the
result of misunderstandings. But where better to begin
the process of understanding than in the well springs of
communication -- of language, of speech ? Unless we
understand what another is saying, how can we approach
even the fringes of consensus ? Even where people speak
the same language, grave difficulties of semantics still
often arise. How much more then in the case of people
ruled by fears and suspicions of other people who speak
an alien tongue ? Each language has grown out of the
deep cultural aspirations of a people. By understanding
the language we begin to understand how they think, and
more significantly how they feel. Out of such
understanding will come a greater measure of mutual
respect, and out of this respect greater love, and out
of such love, and such love alone, will come a lasting
peace.
There are many occasions in the modern world which
provide opportunities for fostering greater contact with
foreigners. In the past, when travel was extremely
hazardous and nearly impossible, people hardly ever
heard another language spoken. In this age of jet
transport and highly organized tourism, it is impossible
not to hear several languages regularly. Movements of
people in search of employment across the globe, for
short and long terms, expose themselves and their
families to quite diverse ethnic groups and cultures.
They thus absorb quite naturally at least some of the
basic elements of speech in those countries.
The United Nations and its myriad service
organizations have done immeasurable good in bringing
together nations of the world. There are also many
"friendship societies" which enable people who wish to
appreciate another culture to do so in a most congenial
manner. Foreign missions of most countries, except
perhaps the Chinese and some East European countries,
hold classes to teach their language to people of host
countries. International schools are also great
nurseries of international friendship.
At the school where my wife teaches, the Overseas
Children's School just outside Colombo, children of
about 35 nations attend, and it is always a deeply
moving sight to see them on United Nations Day, or on
their big occasions, carrying the flags of their
nations. It represents an El Dorado in microcosm, a
brave vision of peace in the future.
My wife recalls that when the US-Libyan confrontation
was at its peak, she saw a Libyan diplomat's daughter
walk hand in hand with an American child. They had a
language in common. Indeed, unless we become as little
children in the matter of learning one another's
language, as children do, we will not enter the kingdom
of a heaven of harmony on earth. |
