“The interdependence of word and idea shows clearly that languages are not actually means of representing a truth already known, but rather of discovering the previously unknown. Their diversity is not one of sounds and signs, but a diversity of world perspectives.”
– (Weltansichten, Willhelm von Humboldt)
Welcome !
If you are a language enthusiast, interested in multilingualism and multiculturalism and you wonder to what extent language shapes our experience and perception, this is the right place for you.
Rationale
The obvious…
We, humans, take language for granted. It is as obvious and natural to us as breathing, yet the human language is unique in the realm of living organisms. Thanks to it we can talk about things, events and states happening here and now, but also those from the past and the future. It allows us to make hypotheses, predictions, and draw conclusions in order to capitalize on our experience and constantly improve by passing knowledge on to future generations.
The less obvious…
Simply put, language is an important aspect of the thought and knowledge processes in our intellectual as well as emotional life. It is a primary tool in building and expanding our collective wisdom. And all this happens through the process of collective learning – a unique ability that made us, humans, so successful in conquering the Earth.
Crux of the matter
What is language then? Experts in field call it a psychological faculty, a mental organ, a neural system, a computational module, or even an instinct. Although referred to in singular we can’t forget that there are about 7000 languages spoken around the world. They surely do share many things in common, but they also have their particularities. And these specific features mirror best the unique linguistic worldview of their speakers.
Purpose
LANGOLUX is a space where language is given special attention and approached in a way that respects and promotes the principles of linguistic diversity and inclusion.
If you juggle two or more languages on a daily basis, whether it is at work or at home, you are in a mixed-nationality relationship, you raise bi/multilingual children, or simply the cultural and linguistic diversity is dear to your heart, it is the right place for you.
LANGOLUX 