Culture Shock or New Beginning?

        One small thing that I picked up from Vanishing Voices was the idea that some people are no longer stressing that their children learn the native language of their culture as their primary language.  Instead, it has become crucial that globally, children learn the languages taught in school so as to achieve a higher education.  It is almost a standard of living that has evolved because most "colleges" are English, Spanish, or Mandarin based to my understanding.  They are being forced to adapt because in some cases, these languages are seen as superior.  I feel for the natives who only have a couple thousand people speaking their language because they are being forced to conform in order to have any kind of success in their lives and provide for their families.
        If this standard is upheld and encouraged from a more global standpoint, we will undoubtedly lose 85% of the undocumented languages for good. This could be detrimental to our world.  We are losing a majority of culture and variety we once had.  Some people, similar to the Palestinians in Said's "States," will even lose their identity or their sense of homeland without a language of their own.  I fear for the outcome of this trend.  History can no longer be demonstrated in a way that's unique to the individuals of the past.  Some stories might even be lost in translation. If we lose the variety in culture, what do we have then to distinguish ourselves?  What measures will people go to in order to be recognized as an individual or different?
        On the other hand, this could be beneficial in a way.  If everyone in the world spoke a few familiar languages, there would be less confusion and discord when nations communicate with one another.  People would hopefully no longer feel the need to discriminate against one another because they don't understand.  Education could reach a new level of competition.  Students would be able to compete globally at a more standard rate.  It's almost as if the world we be united in a way to push one another to achieve more. Either way, the change is bound to happen.  There will be some pros and cons.  Many people will have their different opinions.  People will always do things to stand out.  I am interested to see how the world handles a cultural shock such as this.