Editorial
Austrian-British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein whose philosophical investigations related with the philosophy of language made him conclude, “the limits of my language means the limits of my world”. This being a philosopher’s logical deduction carries myriad opportunities for individuals, both learned and lay, to reconsider the role language plays in their individual and collective lives as opposed to merely seeing it as an aspect that distinguishes humans from other beings. Based on the archives produced by historians, philosophers and intellectuals belonging to ancient and modern societies, it is largely understood that language acquisition is regarded as an essential component of mankind’s ability to attain knowledge and to learn concepts that are essential activities for making sense of themselves and the larger environments they are placed in. These initial ideas resulted in language assuming greater attention with linguists proposing the theories of language functions, first and second language acquisition and learning; and applied linguists interpreting the complex relationships that language posed to its users in their organizational and situational contexts and their assumed communication events. This widening of interest in language- oriented issues often led these experts to connect with other disciplines that melted away the fixed boundaries and resulted in the emergence of new disciplines including anthropological linguistics that focuses on humans with respect to their language(s) and culture; computational linguistics which is analysis and synthesis of language through applications of computer science techniques; and neurolinguistics that  deals with the relationship between language and the structure and functioning of the brain. Alongside distinct disciplinary orientations, this language –focus revealed a brilliant kaleidoscope of questions and issues surrounding language such as multilingualism, cross-cultural communication, identity, politics, power, rights, education, policy and planning, gender and society, technology. Often, these are the pressing issues inhibiting productivity and progress in varied domains of life for individuals and communities across different contexts globally.  
Unlike developed countries, in most developing or under developed countries language is, though very unfortunate, a subject of conflict and something which attracts least serious and meaningful interest. Though these countries are affected by almost all of the issues outlined above, very little effort has been made to focus on language as a representation of the people, and linguistics as an academic discipline which is the first step needed to benefit from the theories, techniques and tools related to linguistics and its multitudinous sub-fields in addressing these issues. Consequently, language remains a misdirected subject and linguistics still a nascent discipline with people having no idea about the disadvantage caused to them by the lack of language development and language education, flawed language policy and planning, repudiation of bilingualism and multilingualism, disenfranchisement because of poor access or use of linguistic resources and technology, bungling global communication, contribution  and competition.  This cursory list of drawbacks is quite sprawling if a retrospective inquiry is made something may be possible only if the individuals representing people and governments are willing to abandon their subjective and predetermined views about language and linguistics.
People have viewed and interpreted language as ‘knowledge’, ‘thought’, and ‘emotion’. It is considered as an expression of self, identity, values, beliefs, and has often been described as a vehicle that creates splendor through literature, resolve through oratory, harmony through cross-linguistic interaction, and opportunities through socio-economic and technological applications of language. In short, language is something that warring contexts should consider living for rather than being ready to die for. However, this may be plausible if language awareness through linguistic education and research is achieved that may create a community that is more tolerant and skillful in handling languages (native and additional) and realizes that languages enrich our lives and make us more human.
Dr. Sajida Zaki