MINI-DOC: Why Are There So Many Languages?

Jano Nakhla

Jano Nakhla, Reporter

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.