Panel Discussion Script: The Power of Language in Preserving

Identity
Moderator:
“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our panel discussion on The Power of Language in
Preserving Identity, inspired by Alphonse Daudet’s moving story The Last Lesson. Today,
we’ll explore how language shapes national identity, how colonization affects education and
culture, and what lessons we can draw from Franz’s experience. Let’s begin by introducing
our esteemed panelists.”

Panelist A: Historian

“Thank you, Moderator. Historically, language has always been a cornerstone of national
identity. In The Last Lesson, the German authorities’ decision to ban French in Alsace
represents a classic example of colonization using language suppression to assert control. By
forcing the locals to adopt German, the colonizers weren’t just teaching a new language -
they were erasing a part of the people’s collective memory, culture, and pride. This tactic is
as old as empires themselves, from the Romanization of conquered territories to modern-day
cultural imperialism. Language, in essence, is a vessel of a nation’s soul - its literature, its
songs, its idioms, it’s very way of thinking. Due to the loss of remembrance of our language
in the coming years could potentially lead to severing ties to a proud cultural and historical
legacy. Remove that, and you fracture the identity of a people. This act of evading the
cultural spread leverages the divide between the people and serves as a mean for conflict.”

Panelist B: Linguist

“Excellent points, Historian. From a linguistic standpoint, a language is far more than just a
means of communication – it’s a “social glue” that binds generations through shared stories,
songs and traditions. In The Last Lesson, M. Hamel calls French ‘the most beautiful language
in the world’, highlighting its cultural richness. When a language is threatened, the
community’s unique idioms, metaphors, and even humor are at risk of extinction, dare to say
“cultural trauma” and “alienation”. Colonization often results in language loss, which in turn
leads to cultural homogenization and the erosion of diversity. Linguists today advocate for
the preservation of endangered languages precisely because they hold irreplaceable
knowledge - folk stories, proverbs, ecological wisdom - that shape how people relate to their
environment and to each other. Losing a language means losing an entire way of seeing the
world. When children like Franz are no longer allowed to learn their mother tongue, it sends
the message that their identity is inferior, this in turn damages self-esteem and a sense of
belonging”

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Panelist C: Teacher (From M. Hamel’s Perspective)

“As M. Hamel, I spent years teaching French but often took it for granted. The news that this
would be the last French lesson filled me with deep regret - regret that I hadn’t instilled a
greater love and urgency in my students for their own language. Colonization doesn’t just
impose a foreign tongue; it humiliates teachers like me, making us feel as though our own
language and culture are inferior. In the story, my final lesson became a sacred duty: to
remind the children that language is their anchor to identity and their shield against cultural
erasure. Education, therefore, is not just about grammar or vocabulary - it’s about nurturing a
sense of belonging and resistance in the face of oppression.”

Panelist D: Student (Franz’s Perspective)

“As Franz, I was a typical student - often distracted, always thinking there’d be time to learn
later. But on that day, I realized that losing the right to learn my own language was like losing
a part of myself. I felt ashamed that I hadn’t appreciated M. Hamel’s efforts before.
Suddenly, every French word seemed precious, every phrase a link to who I was and where I
came from. The sorrow of the villagers - the blacksmith, old Hauser, the former mayor -
made me see that language is more than just words in a book; it’s a bond that holds a
community together. Colonization broke that bond, making me feel powerless and
disconnected. I learned that valuing one’s language is valuing one’s identity - and that
education should never be taken for granted.”

Moderator:
“Thank you, panelists, for your heartfelt perspectives. Let’s now delve into some key
questions to broaden our discussion.”

1️. Why is language an essential part of one’s identity?

Historian:
“Language is a vessel carrying a nation’s history, traditions, and collective memory. In The
Last Lesson, the German order to stop teaching French wasn’t just a policy change — it was
an attempt to erase an entire identity. Language encodes historical narratives: stories of
resistance, folklore, and collective struggles. Without it, a community risks losing the very
essence of who they are. For centuries, colonizers have recognized this power and have tried
to impose their language as a means of subjugation. When M. Hamel declared, ‘French is the
most beautiful language in the world’, he was acknowledging that language is not only a tool
of communication but also a badge of cultural pride and dignity.”

Linguist:
“Building on that, language is more than vocabulary and grammar; it is a framework through

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which people perceive reality. Each language shapes its speakers’ worldview, encapsulating
unique expressions of joy, grief, and wisdom. In The Last Lesson, the forced shift from
French to German threatened to sever the community’s bond to its own worldview. For
example, idioms, proverbs, and oral traditions carry generations of wisdom that cannot be
translated without losing cultural meaning. Losing a language often leads to loss of identity,
self-esteem, and a sense of belonging — it’s like erasing the emotional map of a people.”

M. Hamel (Teacher’s Perspective):

“Throughout my teaching career, I took French lessons for granted, thinking the students had
all the time in the world to learn. But on that final day, I realized that teaching language is
about more than grammar or conjugations. It’s about nurturing a sense of identity, pride, and
resistance in the face of oppression. I saw the villagers — old Hauser with his primer —
attending class to show respect for the language they’d taken for granted. It was a powerful
reminder that language gives us a sense of belonging to our community and nation. Without
it, we risk becoming strangers in our own land.”

Franz (Student’s Perspective):

“For me, language always felt like a school subject, something I could skip or delay. But
when I learned it would be the last French lesson, I felt a deep emptiness. I realized that every
word of French I hadn’t learned represented a piece of myself I’d never get back. I saw how
language connects us to our home, to our neighbors, to our history. Without it, I felt like I
was losing the chance to understand my own identity and the identity of my village. That’s
when I truly understood that language is part of who I am.”

2️. How does colonization affect education and culture?

Historian:
“Colonization often aims to control not just land but also minds. By imposing a foreign
language, colonizers break the chain of cultural transmission. In The Last Lesson, the German
authorities forbade the teaching of French to weaken the local identity and force assimilation
into German culture. This strategy was used throughout history: think of the British imposing
English in India or Spanish in Latin America. When the colonizer’s language becomes the
language of power and opportunity, local languages and cultures begin to lose status and
relevance. Over time, people may feel shame for speaking their mother tongue, internalizing
the colonizer’s narrative of cultural superiority.”

Linguist:
“Absolutely. From a linguistic perspective, colonization disrupts the intergenerational
transmission of language. In The Last Lesson, children were about to lose access to their own
linguistic heritage overnight. Education policies that replace local languages with colonial
ones send the message that native languages - and, by extension, native identities - are
inferior or outdated. Over time, communities lose their oral traditions, songs, stories, and
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wisdom that cannot be fully captured or respected in the colonizer’s language. This creates a
loss of cultural diversity and diminishes the self-esteem of the colonized population.”

M. Hamel (Teacher’s Perspective):

“Colonization turned my classroom into a battleground for identity. Being ordered to stop
teaching French felt like a betrayal of my role as a guardian of culture. It made me realize
that education is a powerful weapon - it can liberate or enslave. As a teacher, I saw how
colonization demoralized both teachers and students. Children lost pride in their heritage, and
teachers felt powerless to protect what was being taken away. That’s why my last lesson was
so emotional - it was an act of defiance, a way to remind my students of their worth.”

Franz (Student’s Perspective):

“I felt the impact of colonization on my education the moment M. Hamel told us that German
would replace French. It made me realize that the oppressors could take away not just our
language but our history and identity. Before that day, I never thought about why we learned
French. But colonization forced me to see that education shapes how we see ourselves.
Losing my language felt like losing my roots - like being told I wasn’t allowed to be me
anymore.”

3️. What lessons can modern societies learn from The Last Lesson?

Historian:
“One key lesson is that language is a cornerstone of cultural resilience. Modern societies
should recognize that preserving linguistic diversity is not just about heritage but also about
protecting human rights and cultural identity. When we respect and promote all languages,
we foster inclusion and empower communities. The Last Lesson shows us that language loss
is often a deliberate act of control - a reminder that cultural erasure can be as damaging as
physical conquest.”

Linguist:
“Indeed. Modern societies should invest in multilingual education and support for endangered
languages. Language revitalization efforts - from community-based schools to digital
resources - help protect cultural knowledge and promote social cohesion. The Last Lesson
teaches us that language connects generations; losing it weakens the bonds that hold
communities together. We must celebrate and protect linguistic diversity as a core value in an
interconnected world.”

M. Hamel (Teacher’s Perspective):

“As a teacher, I believe that educators have a moral responsibility to inspire pride in students’
linguistic and cultural heritage. The Last Lesson shows that teaching isn’t just about
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academics; it’s about nurturing identity and resilience. In modern classrooms, we should
make space for local languages alongside global ones, so that students feel rooted in their
culture while engaging with the wider world.”

Franz (Student’s Perspective):

“For me, the biggest lesson is to never take our language or education for granted. I realized
too late that learning French wasn’t just homework — it was about keeping our history alive.
Today, I’d tell every student to cherish their language, ask questions, and appreciate their
teachers. Because once it’s gone, it’s hard to get back — and you might never feel truly at
home again.”

Moderator:
“Thank you all for your deeply thoughtful and moving contributions. Alphonse Daudet’s The
Last Lesson reminds us that language is not just a subject in school but a thread that weaves
together our past, present, and future. Let’s honor and protect that thread for generations to
come.”