Universal Language as a Baha'i Principle

Let me share the following reader feedback on the Baha'i principle of a universal auxiliary language. I have been writing about Comenius and the Biblical ideal of a universal language, and Andrew Singer offers this as a corrective to the "pure" principle of universality in a world language. I have gone over my older essays on language and found that I did write an essay on Baha'u'llah's take on this principle, but it was written a year or so before the Badi' Blog came into existence. So I will make some revisions and post it later on today.

04 January 2008 Budapest

 

Dear John,

Thank you so much once more for your postings on Comenius. Like the prodigious number of other topics you've addressed in your blog it is a wonderful window for helping apprehend our larger world from a Bahá'í perspective. The portrait you give of Comenius is that of a fortuitous thinker forging principles that remain clearly vital, into the present and beyond, and in points accords wonderfully well with our beliefs.

As Bahá'ís we have the benefit of the further Revelation of God, and in this light we can understand a couple of refinements on Comenius's thinking, deriving as it did from his study of the Christian Bible.

In particular regarding a language for the world, whereas Comenius thought to conquer the world's langauges with a single universal langusge, Bahá'ís seek to manage the rich diversity of the world's cultures by adopting one shared language, rather than supplanting the rest. Comenius, as you quote him, says: "From Who shall persuade the Nations of so many languages to discontinue their traditional tongue in favour of a strange one?" As Bahá'ís our goal rather is as explained in the following quote from the Divine Philosphy by 'Abdu'l-Bahá:

"In order to facilitate complete understanding between all people, a universal auxiliary language will be adopted and in the schools of the future two languages will be taught -- the mother tongue and this international auxiliary tongue which will be either one of the existing language or a new language made up of words from all the languages -- the matter is to be determined by a confederation met for the purpose which shall represent all tribes and nations."

We can derive much inspiration from Comenius's view as you explain it, that "change and growth is a basic characteristic of spirit. Faith must grow along with the Spirit and Word." This is exactly what we bring to the table as Bahá'ís. One such development will be this universal shared language as a supplement to the tongues of the world.

Whether or not we "devise" a new language or use an existing one will be determined at a future date. Bahá'u'lláh tells us in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas that we will "select" a single language for the purpose. On this point I am not inclined to speculate further, keeping faith that when the appointed time comes it will be decided on by a body duly authorized.

Again thanks for your ceaseless dedication to this and other topics. With your work you are helping keep the flame of committed study and scholarship alive in my heart and I am sure in many others as well.

All best wishes,

Andrew