|
Spring
2000 (8.1)  Language
vs. State Power Vagif Samadoghlu, son of the famous writer Samad Vurghun
and recently named "National Poet of Azerbaijan" [1999],
taken from an interview with Azerbaijan International in late
1999. |
"The usage of a state language
is equal to the strength of that nation. The stronger the state,
the stronger its language. English is the strongest language
in the world today simply because the strongest nations stand
behind this language - the British Empire in the 18-19th century
and the U.S. in the 20th century. When a strong nation occupies
another country, it brings its language and culture as well.
When British troops occupied India and Africa, they carried Shakespeare,
Byron and Bacon to those places as well. You can't oppose languages;
you can only oppose strengths."