Azerbaijan International

Spring 2000 (8.1)
Page 25

Language vs. State Power

"The usage of a state language is equal to the strength of that nation. The stronger the state, the stronger its language. English is the strongest language in the world today simply because the strongest nations stand behind this language - the British Empire in the 18-19th century and the U.S. in the 20th century. When a strong nation occupies another country, it brings its language and culture as well. When British troops occupied India and Africa, they carried Shakespeare, Byron and Bacon to those places as well. You can't oppose languages; you can only oppose strengths."

Vagif Samadoghlu, son of the famous writer Samad Vurghun and recently named "National Poet of Azerbaijan" [1999], taken from an interview with Azerbaijan International in late 1999.


From Azerbaijan International (8.1) Spring 2000.
© Azerbaijan International 2000. All rights reserved.

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