If you read this, and I know for a fact that you do, you notice this blog is in English.
But why?
In short, I want to reach as many people as possible and since English is the most spoken language in the world, I write in English.
For a longer answer, you can read the newsletter I wrote a while back, or even watch this video I did some years ago. After I watched it, I had the feeling my spoken English got worse since then, as you can hear in my new podcast.
So, enough self-promotion. This article is not about English. It’s about finding a global or universal language for our good system.
English is not a universal language
But why not use English?
English is the lingua franca of our days. Many people speak it as a second language, and it is often used in global communication, as on this blog, because the USA was the dominating country in the last century. Furthermore, the USA played a significant role in the development of the internet.
But the problem with lingua francas is that they typically come with oppression. English is not only the international standard because of the American dominance in the last century but also because of the British colonization in the centuries before.
Furthermore, since it is an existing first language, it would favor people from English-speaking countries.
What we want is a constructed international auxiliary language. A universal second language that everyone on this planet can use.
It needs to be easy to learn and easy to use.
Currently, it is not relevant whether we create a new one or use one of the many existing constructed international auxiliary languages, with the most prominent one, Esperanto.
Why is it important to have a universal second language?
There are several reasons, which I will list below
1. Everybody can communicate with everybody
In The Good System, there exist no countries or national states. Everyone is free to move around the world. So there is the need to communicate. Not only if you are a tourist, but also if you do trade, cooperate with people in other parts of the world or write articles for a global audience.
Having a second language, that is taught in schools globally, assures everybody can understand it.
A necessary side note. It is very essential that this is a second language. The Good System doesn’t want to eradicate languages. The diversity is indispensable and beautiful and must be protected. That’s why in schools, the taught first language varies from region to region, and there can even be more than one.
2. Global governance needs a global language
In The Good System exists global law and global governance. To assure that everyone can understand the rules, they need to be written in a universal language. Furthermore, in the process of creating laws, nobody should have an advantage because their first language is used as lingua franca.
Moreover, local laws must be written in the universal language, so that new members of the community can understand them and so the laws could be reviewed by global authorities.
Signs and announcements are always also in our universal language, so you can always understand what is going on. Wherever you are in the world. This increases the safety and security.
3. Language is a symbol
Like flags languages are a symbol. In our current system, national territories are often equated with a language region. Even the myths of nations are often built on a unifying language. While all this must be viewed critically, it does show that language is an important symbol.
Since in The Good System, no nation states exist, we need a language that works as a symbol for The Good System.
4. A language connects
A common language is important to build a connection between people. If you can’t speak with one another, you can’t understand the person across from you.
Misunderstanding is often the cause for conflict. Communication brings people together, and what we require for that is a common language.
What should the language look like
The language needs to be easy to learn. But it needs also be able to be used for complex laws and rules.
The symbols or letters need to be easy to use all over the world. Which writing system will be used or if a new one has to be created, will be established during the developing process of our universal language.
It must be inclusive, but it doesn’t need to be poetic. The general use case for this language is in official documents, media, or between people who have to provide information.
Conclusion
A universal second language helps to connect people all over the world and makes The Good System more accessible for everyone.
The language is a systemic symbol, which is important for the success of the system.
It can prevent misunderstandings that could lead to conflicts.
We create a new language that is free from historic oppression and dominance. A language that is diverse but equitable. It needs to be simple, so everyone can easily learn it.
And it doesn’t need to be an existing first language, since it would contradict the need for equity.
Some day this blog may not be in English but in a new good language for a good system.
My name is Ian DeBay.
I am the founder of iandebay.com. I am a content creator, blogger, podcast, YouTuber. This is my blog where I talk about system change, sustainability and other fun stuff.
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