Post #2684406

2026-05-09 08:25 UTC

A lot of languages increase accessibility. Aside from a lot of working class folks not speaking English as a primary language (or not at all), there are also other accessibility languages like ASL. These aren't just valuable for accessibility though. There's still a lot of cutting edge anarchist theory in all types of languages that isn't available in English. And how many surveillance tools do you think are scanning social media for ASL? Authoritarian structures collapse in the face of the kind of complexity that we want to exist. Multilingualism is a prefigurative praxis.

Replies (3)

@Hex@kolektiva.social 2026-05-09 09:02

I also think that's one of the hidden lessons of May Day. It's always been about immigrant labor. It's always been about internationalism. Countries deport international anarchists because they are an easy group to target, but also because they make things especially challenging for authoritarians. Tangentially related: https://www.liveliketheworldisdying.com/how-the-history-of-may-day-can-prepare-us-for-tomorrow/

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@michaelgraaf@kolektiva.social 2026-05-09 09:25

@Hex@kolektiva.social Widespread multilingualism is one of the strengths of #SouthAfrica. Indigenous languages collectively constitute a majority, & for all its sins, apartheid gave each its own bureaucracy including university & radio & TV. Ironically citizens privileged by apartheid were denied instruction in local majority languages; most remain linguistically disabled (monolingual or weakly bilingual) & their children only slightly better off, while the average citizen is fluent in two or three languages. The new system still privileges hegemonic languages by not budgeting for a level playing field #austerity

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@clockwooork@sociale.network 2026-05-09 10:37

@Hex@kolektiva.social In light of this fantastic post, I'm very glad one character in my Kanteletar novel is a multilinguist 😎

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