[Sigiii-l] Plaza

[Nadia Caidi]

As each day passes the information society in which we supposedly live 
is becoming more global in nature. My main concern is the effect that 
this shift is having, and will continue to have, on multiculturalism and 
multilingualism. On the one hand, the information society and 
globalization offer us the unique opportunity to familiarize ourselves 
with cultures that we normally might not have any contact with.
This is being achieved through information sharing on the internet and 
the use of other similar technological tools. Conversely, we could end 
up in a situation where North American values (i.e. predominantly white 
Anglo-Saxon values) and language dominate over cultures with less 
economic power and influence. Already, the speech and writing of most 
continental Europeans is peppered throughout with English words. I feel 
that language is an integral part of any culture because it contains 
words and expressions that are distinctive and serve as a mirror for 
that particular culture. For example, my parents are from the Friuli 
region in north-eastern Italy. Because of the distinct language 
(Friulian) and the rich cultural mix (Friulian, Slovenian and Austrian), 
the region has been granted political autonomy by the Italian 
government. I worry, however, that with the continued growth of the 
information society and globalization, the preservation of these rich 
local cultures and languages (and dialects) will disappear.
Governments will focus on global technological issues instead.
Consequently, I think that professional societies for those in the field 
of library and information science should be actively working to 
preserve and celebrate the diverse cultures and languages of the world 
rather that either ignoring the issue or preferring a kind of 
assimilation. Librarians and other information professionals can also 
find creative ways to promote and preserve the local culture of the 
community in which they work. As well, an effort should be made to 
familiarize themselves with what is happening throughout the whole world 
and not just in the West. Cultural sensitivity and openness will be more 
important than ever.