Language
 

We speak different languages, only because as the human race developed, we moved around the earth further and faster than our ability to communicate with each other. One a culture was cut off, it developed its own language over time.

Now, everyone on the earth can quickly and cheaply communicate with everyone else. So, although we don't even know it, our cultures are now slowly evolving to speak the same language. It's inevitable.

Or is it?

In what year will everyone on earth speak the same language?

What language will that be? Will we recognize it?

I like this idea. It confirms what I think, although I hadn't thought of it yet.

No, I think there will always be rebellion and a fondness for tradition. Almost-dead languages are being revived rather than the other way. And some languages have elements that are specific and necessary to their users -e.g. sign language and the clichéd Eskimo words for snow. It's certainly true Brits use more words for rain and snowy mixes than Americans :D

The dominant power determines the dominant language... Right up until they're not the dominant power anymore. If someone could manage to stay in power long enough, we might end up with a mostly universal language. But if/when war breaks out, that language doesn't just fall out of favor, it gets actively shunned.

The correct answer is Newspeak and 1984.

Flying and air travel spread English around the world as the official language of aviation. Almost every student in China and India is learning English, whereas students in the west learning Chinese and Indian dialects are few.

Communication is just a fad.