MINI-DOC: Why Are There So Many Languages?

Jano Nakhla, Reporter
May 18, 2022

Nonnewaug world languages department chairperson Matthew Greaves, center, spent several years living in Paraguay, where he learned how the people there used different languages in different occasions. (Matthew Greaves)

WOODBURY — Experts estimate that there are 7,100 languages in the world, but many high school students complain when they’re asked to learn even more than one. Does the world really need that many languages?

While individuals may not have use for so many languages, experts say that the variety of languages is important to help people maintain cultural identity. The NHS Chief Advocate’s Jano Nakhla interviewed experts to help understand why linguistic diversity helps enrich the world.

About the Contributor

Jano Nakhla, Reporter

Jano Nakhla is a freshman at Nonnewaug High School, and this is her first year writing for the NHS Chief Advocate. Coming from New York originally, she has lived in Woodbury for three years now. She enjoys science, karate, and playing the piano. Her dream is to enter the medical field after high school, but she has always had an interest and passion for creative and expressive writing. She strives to strengthen her skills, and she considers the NHS Chief Advocate newspaper an opportunity to do so. She joined with the intent of learning more about journalism and becoming more involved in her school community.