IELTS HUBIELTS Agree Disagree Essay on Culture & World & Society
Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.
To what extent Do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
Introduction
Paraphrase the view that language extinction is unimportant and makes life easier. State strong disagreement, emphasizing the importance of language variety for culture and communication.
Body Paragraph 1 View 1
Topic sentence: Languages hold unique histories, traditions, and cultural identities. Example: Yolngu language showing untranslatable concepts; losing languages means losing cultural knowledge and heritage.
Body Paragraph 2 View 2
Topic sentence: Language variety boosts cognitive flexibility and creativity. Evidence: Studies show benefits for multi-lingual speakers (problem-solving, agility). Example: Bilingual children performing better on cognitive tasks like the Stroop test.
Body Paragraph 3 Opinion
Topic sentence: Preserving languages encourages global understanding and respect for cultural diversity. Example: UN's International Mother Language Day supporting linguistic/cultural diversity and promoting mutual respect.
Conclusion
Restate strong disagreement with the idea that language extinction is unimportant. Summarize main points: languages are priceless for cultural knowledge, cognitive growth, and global understanding/respect.
Band 9 Sample Answer:
Some people believe that the extinction of many languages each year isn't a big deal, as it seemingly makes life easier by decreasing the number of worldwide languages. I strongly disagree with this idea, as I think that having a variety of languages is crucial to the richness of human culture and communication.
My first argument is that languages hold the unique histories, traditions, and identities of various cultures. For example, the native Australian language, Yolngu, expresses complex family systems and spiritual beliefs that can't be easily translated into English. Losing such languages means losing priceless cultural knowledge and heritage.
Secondly, having a variety of languages boosts cognitive flexibility and creativity. Studies have shown that people who speak multiple languages often have better problem-solving skills and cognitive agility, as they're used to switching between different language structures. For instance, kids who speak two languages have been found to do better than kids who speak only one language in tasks that require cognitive flexibility, like the well-known Stroop test.
Lastly, keeping multiple languages alive encourages global understanding and respect for cultural diversity. For example, the United Nations' establishment of International Mother Language Day aims to support linguistic and cultural diversity, recognizing that mutual respect and understanding come from acknowledging and appreciating the variety of languages and cultures.
In conclusion, I strongly disagree with the idea that the extinction of languages doesn't matter. Instead, I believe that languages are priceless sources of cultural knowledge, triggers for cognitive growth, and foundations of global understanding and respect.
Band 7 Sample Answer:
There exists a perspective that the extinction of numerous languages annually is inconsequential, as it ostensibly simplifies life by reducing the number of global languages. I wholeheartedly disagree with this viewpoint, as I believe linguistic diversity is integral to the richness of human culture and communication.
My first contention is that languages encapsulate the unique histories, traditions, and identities of diverse cultures. For instance, the indigenous Australian language of Yolngu conveys intricate kinship systems and spiritual beliefs that are not easily translatable into English. The loss of such languages, therefore, signifies the erasure of invaluable cultural knowledge and heritage.
Secondly, linguistic diversity fosters cognitive flexibility and creativity. Research has shown that multilingual individuals often exhibit enhanced problem-solving skills and cognitive agility, as they are accustomed to switching between different linguistic frameworks. For example, bilingual children have been found to outperform monolingual peers in tasks requiring cognitive flexibility, such as the classic Stroop test.
Lastly, the preservation of multiple languages promotes global understanding and respect for cultural diversity. As an illustration, the United Nations' declaration of International Mother Language Day aims to foster linguistic and cultural diversity, recognizing that mutual respect and understanding are built upon acknowledging and appreciating the diversity of languages and cultures.
In conclusion, I firmly oppose the notion that the disappearance of languages is unimportant. On the contrary, I assert that languages are invaluable repositories of cultural knowledge, catalysts for cognitive development, and pillars of global understanding and respect.