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Chapter 10 - On language and peace: Some theological remarks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2020

By
Arnulf von Scheliha
Edited by
Neville Edward Alexander
Neville Edward Alexander
Affiliation:
University of South Africa
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Summary

The topic, ‘On language and peace’, and the current differentiated state of research in relation to it, are not necessarily linked to theology. Nevertheless there are some subcutaneous connections to theology that might be pointed out in this brief reflection. Therefore, in the following essay, some comments, from a theological viewpoint, are given on the topic. In good Protestant tradition, I firstly refer to the Bible. I call to mind two famous narratives which deal with the diversity of languages. On the foundation of these stories, I then draw several normative conclusions for the present and future.

The first story is well known under the heading, ‘The Tower of Babel’. It is written in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter xi:

(1) And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. (2) And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. (3) And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. (4) And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (5) And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. (6) And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. (7) Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (8) So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. (9) Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.’

Type
Chapter
Information
Language Policy and the Promotion of Peace
African and European case studies
 , pp. 123 - 128
Publisher: University of South Africa
Print publication year: 2014

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