New York City is currently the most linguistically rich place on earth, with 800 different languages, but it is also the place, or “cemetery,” where many languages ​​go to die. Around the world, many languages, especially indigenous ones, are becoming extinct due to the superior advantages of other languages, such as English, which has universal use across the globe. New York City is no exception, where immigrants from other countries are abandoning their native languages ​​for the dominant languages ​​of English and Spanish, causing the death of their old languages. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayNew York has the highest linguistic density in the world, because the city is able to attract large numbers of immigrants in almost equal quantities from all over the globe. The city offers so much in such a small space – housing, jobs, stability – that it is extremely welcome to those fleeing oppression, persecution or poverty. However, the influx of immigrants has also turned New York into a graveyard of languages ​​and cultures. A significant factor causing this extinction is that people are switching from their native language to the country's dominant languages: English and Spanish. People feel led to make the change because they realize that their native language is not very useful when they live in a city where English is predominantly used, whether in advertising, signage, newspapers or simply in verbal communication . Furthermore, being the last to speak English a language can be lonely, having no way to speak to other people, unable to experience the culture and society of New York, so many leave their old language for the new, with the resulting in even fewer speakers and ultimately extinction. Language is a significant component of culture, and with its extinction, culture cannot survive. Language has an important social function and promotes group identity and solidarity between people when used as a means of communicating beliefs, values ​​and customs. Specifically in New York, where there are over 800 languages, it is essential to maintain the language of a culture or ethnic group so that cultural heritage, values, beliefs and identity are preserved. When a language becomes extinct, a culture's shared traditions and values ​​may not be preserved, causing the culture to become forgotten and disappear. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayFor example, Garifuna, an Arawakan language of Honduras and Belize, would have become extinct without any trace of the language or culture, if not for two Garifuna speakers who helped document not only their language, but also aspects of their culture through traditional singing. This demonstrates how closely intertwined language and culture are and the importance of language in maintaining crucial aspects of culture.