Linguistic Imperialism | a lawyer's perspective

Present is a scenario where I will be a lawyer who will be representing the Frisians and their language, and why it should be preserved rather than promoting the spread of the English language.

Arguments for supporting Frisian

Intrinsic argument

• Frisian is one of the earliest form of the Germanic languages, therefore having a major importance in the history of European languages
• Frisians have on their own literature dating back from the Middle Ages to the present day
• The language promotes tribal consciousness
• Frisian possesses its own vocabulary, morphology, and syntax and therefore obtains its own resources for complex concepts and feelings

Extrinsic argument

• Frisian is still relatively spoken in the Frisian areas, and therefore the speakers still obtain a big vocabulary
• Since recently Frisian has a 'google translate' page specially developed to help maintain the language and popularise it amongst Frisian youth 
• Frisian older generations are motivated to promote their language to younger generations
• Frisian people have, after years of pleeing, finally received the aknowledgement of Frisian as an official language of the Netherlands

Functional argument

• Because of the wide range of literature dating back from the Middle Ages, it is very resourcefull for historians and linguists 
• As it promotes tribal consciousness, people living in the Frisian areas will be able to identify themselves more with their origin as well as forming communal unity with one another
• Its own vocabulary, morphology, and syntax provides different resources for complex concepts and feelings

Arguments against the spread of English

Intrinsic argument

• Due to the trading power of the English during the Golden Age, the hegemonic spread English was a matter of course for the Frisian traders with the British.

Extrinsic argument

• Despite the fact that much trade is and was done in English, English was 'forced' upon the people. Therefore it shouldn't affect the native language of the Frisian areas.
• Frisian may have fewer speakers, but many educated such as professors, doctors, and teachers speak Frisian. And therefore the spread of the Frisian language can easily skyrocket if Frisian is thought in schools.

Functional argument

• English was popularized due to its hegemonic imperialism. It is branded as convenient as most people can speak it, however Frisian speakers are highly encouraged to increase the amount of its speakers through media and education. Frisian is still spoken at Frisian homes and therefore is much more convenient for its speakers than learning English as a third language (aside from Dutch or German)