According to Wiki; the island nation of New Guinea has 12% of the world’s languages—about 850 languages for 12 million people, many more a hundred years ago.
Because of it’s isolated, jungled, mountainous interior, each valley evolved its own distinctive language and culture, in all honesty, does anyone think THAT’S worth preserving?
Yes, and I am sending money on a regular basis to Wycliffe to do just that.
One of my best friends is working there on a Bible translation project.
If it doesn’t interfere with them having a productive life, why not. I think everyone should learn to speak the language of their country but if they already speak that, then it’s no skin off my nose if they also speak other ones. I don’t have a problem with anybody who speaks English and then also wants to go learn some Indian language or something. If they were refusing to learn English and trying to make us pay to translate drivers licenses for them, then I’d have the problem, but I don’t see anything wrong with English-speaking Americans wanting to learn how to say something in their ancestors language during their spare time, whether that’s Polish or some Indian language or anything else.