Language vs humanity

This is a most interesting subject to me, because I love language, Native American lore, and culture in general.  The interview mentioned below talks about the Abenaki language and how there are 70 or so languages that could run into extinction if they are not acted upon and passed onto younger generations.  Whammo, all three loves in one shot.  Hence my forthcoming comments on this.

Aside from feeling residual horror for the trials that so many cultures have gone through over the history of mankind, what I find interesting is the irony inherent in this situation.  First, natives were cornered, persecuted, shoved into death, despair, illness, captivity, taunting, pretty much near annihilation.  Then the survivors were threatened and coerced into avoiding their native tongue and pretty much anything that wasn't "American."  Now, generations later, it's not only acceptable to be a Native American but it can be a prideful thing.  And, after so many children grew up without their native languages, they seek them.  The languages are like gold; historians and the curious alike scramble to save them from extinction.  What was once a shameful thing has become a valued art, a piece of culture that must be lost.

I try to put myself in our forefathers' shoes and fail.  Is it because I'm not in those times?  Are there pieces of history of which we are entirely unaware?  Or do I, like others these days, simply have more forethought, more thoughts of equality, than they did then?  If the latter, then why does the world still make the same mistakes it always has?  Why are we still at war with other countries?  What is the purpose of learning World History if not to try to do better?  Are we only studying our books so we can take lessons on how to ruin ourselves?

Anywho, the article:

VT Edition Interview: Jeanne Brink & Ellen Lutz on preserving the Abenaki language

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/79141/

I hope Jeanne is successful on her quest.  I'm uncertain on my feelings on whether language is such an integral part of one's culture, but if even one language can be saved, I'm for it.

~nv