Mother Tongues (Voice of Ireland) - Stephen James Smith @sjswords

[@matheryn03]

This expresses a thought I've been having for a long time. Language is one of the most powerful cultural identifiers we have. It keeps us connected to each other, to our ancestors, to our stories and our histories. Thus, the deliberate destruction of language is one of the most powerful tools of subjugation and assimilation a colonising power wields over another culture. As an Australian, one of the first things we did to our first nations people was strip away their language. Well, after we decided that wholesale murdering them all was altogether too much effort. We stole their children, took their language, and along with it their most important link to their ancestry and culture. I saw the same methods used against the Pueblos of New Mexico at their cultural museum. First, you take their children: their future. Then you take their language--their present. Then, you watch as their ability to connect with their past erodes away.

[@davethecrow]

beautiful. and my favourite place in Ireland.

[@sjswords]

Thanks!

[@colintaylor]

Just followed a link on Reddit. This was very powerful. Can’t wait to show my wife

[@sjswords]

Thanks, I hope they like it.

[@useyouredge]

Absolutely brillant stuff!

[@sjswords]

Thanks for watching!