Language: Thought and conduct

This article is posted on my Facebook on 22 April 2018 

"Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow" (Oliver Wendell Homes)
With price of development, urbanization and modernity has left, among many, the fate of our languages (Dzongkha or any Bhutanese dialects), which I would term as "cultural invasion", a gradual and painful truth. I am responsible too. Mr. Dorji Wangchuk 's article on Dzongkha just more than language is a thought provoking article touching on the very essence of language and its impact on human development
in thought and conduct. I think, it is worth for everyone of us to read and rethink. We may realize where, we are heading.
Modernity has forced Bhutanese to travel thousands of miles (except arctic region), in search of accumulating wealth,(Wealth is presumed status and happiness in modern Bhutan. I am not saying we don't need or should not accumulate). Unknowingly, we also submit ourselves and those with us (children) to learn to abandon "our, we, collective and simplicity" in exchange for "individual, mine" and we garner ego and arrogance, eventually leading to "extremes" as as opposed to "middle path"described by author. The paradigm shift in our social fabrics is a result of alien thought, derived from language we learn.

It is not just outside Bhutan, but within too. We want our kids to speak fluent foreign language to prove, we are modern and more educated (accepted Bhutanese stereotype) and in the name of modernity (We produce nothing and even the basic entertainments are all imported-parties, clubs, sports, television, social media). We are exposed to too much foreign information (we take in through foreign language). With democracy, those in power, are only interested in garnering votes than nation's interest and future of our country (Bhutan still does not have good social media policy and regulation) and their plans and policies are all short sighted ,so that they can earn more votes . They are least bothered except some rhetoric statements on such issue (Did even one political party even talk about social media menace and its impact on nation's future).

I agree very much with Dorji Sir, that language influences thought, as it can be seen with our own eyes, those kids who are growing in the States or else where, their approach to world and their perception on human values and society.
It is sad but reality. Unless our leaders take some actions, our language would not survive few more generations. Just 20 years ago, when I grew up, the common language used in any kind of gathering, always used to be our own language. Just in two decades, I can not use even basic words of Dzongkha in my conversation with another Bhutanese many a times, because I have to explain to them again in English. Having said this, I also agree strongly with Dorji Sir that, I am not advocating that Dzongkha is better nor to blame those who can speak foreign languages. I am just reiterating the author of the blog that, it may be good to rethink our approach of world as Bhutanese, little more cautiously, if not Bhutanese at heart will be lost forever,