Is language use or even language connected
with a special place in time? This
question can't of course answered with a simple "yes" or
"no", but it is also obvious, that thinking closer about the nature
of language(s) the yes-answer seems to be a better choice. One argument for the place connection of language
is deixis. Deixis (Wp-Link) connects language use, the ongoing
communications here to a place. But Deixis, referring to place, where Speaker
or Listener is located, is an indicator for spoken communication. Written
communication is using makers of place to locate the writer. In former times,
when the people were writing letters it was custom (at least in German letters)
to indicate, where this specific letter was written. This blog has function to
locate posts. This means: written texts are normally not located, the writer
can locate himself, but it of course difficult to locate the readers. Oral
language is located, but written communication isn't, but there are some
(technical) means to locate the communication. Why is it important to locate
language? The origin of located language is of course our body. The language of
children is originally located language use, they are referring to place(s) of
the first interaction(s).
Taking the language into consideration, the
"yes" answer of the first question is getting stronger. The whole
idea of "language" couldn't be existing without institutions, like a
nation-state. In this sense B. Andersons "Imagined communities" are
very real for the development of languages. And the schooling institutions in
all countries are working to maintain the idea of language in very practical
definitions for spelling, interpunctuation, but also for oral means, like
articulation. And because of the fact, that all nation-states are controlling a
certain place on this earth, language is connected to a special place.
But I am writing this post in English,
because English is delocating. English went beyond the origin of existence and
is now more and more a translocal language, which makes it useful for
international purposes. But seeing movies in English, from all over the world
shows: there is not only one English, there are several Englishes in place, as
the instructive lecture of Salikoko S. Mufwene on You Tube shows.
By the way the way, the You Tube lecture of
Mr. Mufwene is a good example for multilingual project, because the lecture is
hold in French (with English subtitles). And not only the content of this
lecture, but also the medium shows, that language, especially English is more
and more delocating. Other Languages are about to follow.
To answer the opening question: Yes,
language is still related to places, but the relations are getting weaker.
