Language rights and writing

The story makes us think about language rights. In history, many conquered peoples had their language taken away, or a new one forced on them, as Alsace was forced to learn German. Losing one's language hurts a people's sense of who they are.

A linguistic minority is a group whose language is different from that of most people around them. The book's example is Tamils living in Mumbai. They can keep their language alive by speaking it at home, teaching it to their children, and meeting as a community for festivals and events.

Pride in one's language is good, but too much of it can become linguistic chauvinism: the belief that your language is better than everyone else's. Every language deserves respect, including your neighbour's.

The book also asks you to write a notice for a school bulletin board. A notice is short and clear. It contains:

• the name of the school, the word NOTICE, and the date;
• a clear heading;
• the message: what is happening, when, where, and who should take part;
• the name and post (designation) of the person who issued it.