Language should be a bridge, not a barrier

 

            Language is one of the most beautiful and powerful tools given to humankind. It allows us to express our thoughts, share our feelings, and build meaningful connections with others. From the very first cry of a newborn to the complex diplomatic talks between nations, everything revolves around language. But what exactly is language?

At its core, language is a system of communication—a way through which we express our emotions, needs, thoughts, and dreams. It includes spoken words, written text, signs, and even gestures. Through language, we pass on our culture, knowledge, and identity to the next generation. It forms the heart of every civilization, every home, and every personal connection.

Diversity of Language Across the Globe

Across the world, there are over 7,000 languages, and each one carries the essence of its people, their culture, their history, and their values. From the rhythmic tones of Mandarin to the lyrical beauty of French, the rich vibrancy of Swahili to the melodic Punjabi, every language adds a unique color to the canvas of humanity.

Language varies by country, region, and community. This diversity is natural and beautiful. In fact, even within a single country like India, we witness a wide range of languages and dialects—from Hindi in the North to Tamil in the South, Bengali in the East to Gujarati in the West. This diversity should be celebrated, not fought over.

Mother Tongue: The Language of Comfort

The language we grow up speaking is called our mother tongue. It holds a special place in our hearts. It’s the language we first hear, the one in which our lullabies are sung, the one in which we cry and laugh freely. It is usually the language of home, of love, and of our earliest memories.

We often feel most comfortable in our mother tongue. It gives us a sense of identity and belonging. However, when we step out of our comfort zones—move to a new state, city, or country—we often encounter different languages. And that’s when the power of learning new languages comes into play.

Learning New Languages: A Sign of Respect and Unity

When we learn a new language, we’re not just picking up new words—we’re learning to understand another culture, to appreciate another way of life. It's a way to build respectful relationships, to create friendships, and to promote peace.

In many parts of India and the world, people migrate for better opportunities—for education, employment, or simply a better life. As they move from one region to another, they bring their own language, but also try to adapt to the local one. This effort to learn the regional or national language is a positive step toward unity.

But sadly, in some places today, this difference in language is being used to divide people. Fights are erupting over regional languages, and people are being beaten or threatened for not speaking the "local" language. This is not only inhumane but also goes against the very essence of communication and unity.

Language Should Not Be a Reason to Hate

We must ask ourselves: What are we really fighting for?

If someone comes to a new state or city for work and does not speak the local language, does that make them a criminal? Should they be punished for trying to earn a livelihood? Language should never be used as a weapon of hate. Rather, it should be used as a tool for inclusion and growth.

Every human being deserves the freedom to live, work, and communicate without fear. Instead of mocking or isolating someone who can’t speak our language, we should extend a hand of support. Teach them. Help them. Make them feel welcome. That is the sign of a truly educated and compassionate society.

Politics and the Misuse of Language

Let’s be honest: language conflicts are often fueled by political agendas. Politicians sometimes create divisions for their own gain—by promoting "us vs. them" mindsets based on language or ethnicity. But what do ordinary people gain from these fights? Nothing.

In fact, we lose more than we gain. We lose peace, we lose humanity, and we damage the image of our community and our nation in the eyes of the world.

In a country like India, which is known for its unity in diversity, such narrow-mindedness hurts our core values. Every year, millions of tourists visit India because of our culture, hospitality, and heritage. But if they start witnessing language-related violence or discrimination, they will stop coming. This will hurt our economy, our reputation, and our future.

Love Your Mother Tongue – But Respect All Languages

There is nothing wrong in being proud of your mother tongue. In fact, we must celebrate it. Promote it. Teach our children to value it. But that should not come at the cost of disrespecting other languages.

We must also respect our national language (Hindi), our official languages (like English), and international languages that connect us globally. Knowing multiple languages is not a sign of betrayal—it’s a sign of intelligence and adaptability.

The more languages we know, the more people we can connect with. And connection is the key to peace.

Language Should Be a Bridge of Understanding

In India, there’s a beautiful saying:

"अगर नीयत साफ हो, तो बात करने की ज़रूरत नहीं होती।"

(If your intentions are pure, you don’t even need to speak.)

But in today’s world, the problem is not that people don’t want to talk. The problem is that even when someone wants to speak, they are mocked or attacked just because their accent or words are different. How is that fair?

Imagine someone with a good heart, a hard worker, a kind person—but just because he or she doesn't know your language, they are treated like an outsider. That’s not what humanity is about.

Let’s shift our mindset.

Let’s make language our strength, not our weakness. Let’s use it to build friendships, not walls. Let’s create a world where a stranger feels like family, simply because we chose to communicate with kindness instead of conflict.

The Way Forward

1. Teach and Learn: If someone doesn’t know your language, teach them. If you don’t know theirs, try to learn. Language learning apps, books, and even casual conversations can make a huge difference.
2. Be Kind and Patient: Don’t mock someone for struggling with your language. You may not know how hard they’re trying.
3. Promote Multilingualism: Encourage children to learn more than one language. It opens doors and minds.
4. Speak Up Against Hate: If you see someone being mistreated due to language, speak up. Silence supports injustice.
5. Celebrate Diversity: Host events, cultural fairs, and festivals where different languages are welcomed and enjoyed.

    To make this blog more inclusive and accessible, I’ve added a translator option. I understand that many readers feel more connected when they read in their mother tongue, and I truly respect that. Language brings comfort, and everyone deserves the chance to read, understand, and connect in the language they love most. Whether it's Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, or any other language, I want to ensure that this message reaches every heart, in every corner. Because communication is not just about words—it’s about understanding and inclusion.

Conclusion

Language is a gift. A beautiful, powerful gift that can either bring people together or tear them apart. The choice is ours.

Let us choose peace over pride, understanding over ego, and compassion over conflict. Let us teach our children to be proud of their language, but also to be kind and respectful toward others. Let us remind ourselves that behind every language is a human heart—beating with hopes, fears, dreams, and love.

We can’t afford to lose our humanity over something as beautiful as language.

So, speak with love. Listen with respect. Learn with curiosity. And always remember:

"Language should be a bridge, not a barrier"

"Speak to Connect, Not to Divide"

 By: Jaspreet Kaur   🗺🌏🫂💌🤟