English Class 10 - Language And-People Notes

Language and People

Welcome to the chapter on Language and People for Class 10. In this chapter, you will explore the relationship between language and society, understand how language shapes identity and culture, and learn about the diversity of languages spoken around the world. By the end of this chapter, you will appreciate the importance of language in connecting people and expressing ideas.

Introduction

Language is more than just a way to communicate. It is a part of who we are and how we connect with others. Every community has its own language or dialect, and language reflects our history, culture, and values.

The Role of Language in Society

• Language helps people share ideas, feelings, and information.
• It is used in education, business, government, and daily life.
• Language can unite people or create barriers between groups.

Language and Identity

• The language we speak is a part of our identity.
• It can show where we come from and what community we belong to.
• People may speak more than one language and have multiple identities.

Language Diversity

• There are thousands of languages spoken in the world.
• Some countries have many languages and dialects.
• Language diversity is a sign of cultural richness.

Language and Culture

• Language carries stories, traditions, and customs.
• Festivals, songs, and literature are expressed through language.
• Learning a new language helps us understand other cultures.

Challenges to Language

• Some languages are disappearing as fewer people speak them.
• Globalization and technology can lead to the spread of some languages and the loss of others.
• Efforts are being made to preserve endangered languages.

Fun Activity: Language Map

Make a map of your country or region and mark the different languages spoken there. Try to learn a greeting in a new language!

Summary

• Language is a key part of human life and society.
• It shapes our identity and connects us to our culture.
• The world is full of language diversity, which should be celebrated and preserved.

Practice Questions

1. How does language help people in society?
2. Why is language important for identity?
3. What is language diversity? Give an example.
4. How can learning a new language help you?
5. What are some challenges faced by languages today?

Challenge Yourself

• Interview a family member about the languages they speak and what those languages mean to them.
• Write a short paragraph about your favorite language and why you like it.

Did You Know?

• Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.
• Some languages, like Sanskrit and Latin, are called "classical languages" and are studied for their rich literature.

Glossary

• Dialect: A form of a language spoken in a particular area or by a particular group.
• Identity: Who a person is, including their language, culture, and background.
• Endangered Language: A language that is at risk of disappearing.
• Globalization: The process by which the world is becoming more connected through trade, communication, and culture.

Answers to Practice Questions

1. Language helps people share ideas, feelings, and information in society.
2. Language is important for identity because it shows who we are and where we come from.
3. Language diversity means having many different languages in a place. For example, India has hundreds of languages.
4. Learning a new language helps you understand other cultures and communicate with more people.
5. Some challenges are the loss of languages, fewer speakers, and the spread of only a few global languages.

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Celebrate language diversity and learn something new about people and their languages every day!