Global Dialogues

In today's world, we are simultaneously more connected and more divided than ever before. The globalized nature of our societies means that events and decisions in one part of the world can have profound effects elsewhere. Despite this, cultural, political, and moral divides persist, making it difficult to find common ground. However, I believe that one of the most powerful ways to build human fraternity is through linguistics, which offers both ethical and spiritual resources to foster connection and empathy across cultures.

Linguistics reveals the deep connections that exist between people, even when they seem completely different on the surface. For instance, the study of phonological shifts in languages is a reminder that many cultures once shared common linguistic roots. Take the Indo-European language family, for example. English and Hindi, spoken thousands of miles apart, were once part of the same family. Despite the differences between these languages, certain core vocabulary—like the word for “brother”—remains strikingly similar across them. The English brother, Latin frater, and Hindi bhai all derive from a common root. This continuity across time and distance highlights that, despite the apparent separateness of cultures, there is a shared human experience at the core of many languages.

This recognition of shared linguistic heritage provides an ethical resource that encourages us to look beyond national or cultural boundaries and understand that, at our core, we are all connected. When we explore the etymology of words like "compassion," we discover its Latin roots: com (with) and passio (to suffer). The word means “to suffer with,” teaching us the importance of empathy and solidarity with others in their suffering. This understanding of compassion, rooted in language, provides a spiritual resource that can help us expand our moral imaginations beyond our immediate communities, fostering a sense of shared humanity.

Furthermore, languages and ideas from different cultures have historically intertwined, creating a vast network of connections. For example, the Chinese word shijie (world), has its origins in Buddhist concepts, which were shared across East Asia. This shared linguistic history helps bridge cultural divides and shows how, even when cultures seem vastly different, they are often united by the exchange of ideas over time.

The world may be divided, but language teaches us that we are connected through shared human experiences. These connections can guide us toward a more inclusive, compassionate worldview. By drawing on the ethical teachings embedded in language, like compassion, and recognizing the interconnectedness of humanity, we can overcome our divisions and build a global human fraternity. This broader moral imagination is essential for navigating our increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Jeffrey Liu (C'27) is a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences at Georgetown University.