I have read this article. and others associated with the topic, with interest.
I have taken a lot of courses in linguistic theory and certainly champion those who are deeply involved in this field.
As a language teacher, however, I wonder why this topic is so important to people. I have a Middle Eastern student who spends part of each class speaking about this issue, which I find a total waste of our time.
Does it really matter which language is considered more sophisticated/more difficult? I suppose knowing a fact (such as Japanese students must pass an exam by commanding over 1500 hieroglyphs) adds to our appreciation of our world, and how hard people labor to become literate, but to what end this persistent dialogue?
I see language as a vehicle by which we communicate with one another, do business, entertain ourselves and others, and enjoy the sound of words and how they work together to create incredible masterpieces, etc. But what good is it to compare one language against another in hope of determining which language is the most difficult to learn?
In terms of my particular student, who needs English so badly for his job, he spends so much time mocking English that he loses focus.
Anyhow, just my two cents!
Heather
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