Language, And How We Choose To Use Language To Communicate

All languages are important and realizing it will make you become a stronger, more diverse human being. We need take make an effort not only for ourselves but for other citizens living in the United States who don’t speak English; we need to make them feel welcomed into our country. Marjorie Agosín described that,”here in the United States, where I have lived since I was a young girl, the solitude of exile makes me feel that so little is mine, that not even the sky has the same constellations, the trees and the fauna the same names or sounds, or the rubbish the same smell. These are the dilemmas of one who writes in Spanish and lives in translation”(Agosin 599). Agosín has lived in the United States for quite some time now, yet still feels like she is living a life through “translation”. She should not feel this way, Agosin should feel apart of our country and feel as if she is a citizen. It is important for us to take a stand now to make language become apart of the curriculum within our school systems starting in Kindergarten, so that our children have a more diverse life filled with opportunities. One thing we know about the future for sure is that we will still have our knowledge about language, but it is how we use that knowledge that will depict how we will succeed in life and as a

As society begins to change so do other aspects that are within that particular society. Within the articles “Why Good English is Good for You” by John Simon, “Do You Speak American” by Robert MacNeil, and “Lost in America” by Douglas McGrey, each author gives their own insight as to how social changes have impacted the language within America, as well as the implications of those changes. While they each argue different views on how those implications have benefitted or hindered the language, they all agree on the fact that the language is ever-changing.

Language is an integral part of human existence. It is not only a crucial tool in which we use to convey meaning to others, but also a cultural construct passed down from previous generations that helps to define who we are and how we relate to others. Ultimately language defines our relationships with others, the way we use language is shaped by our own socio- cultural background and also that of whoever we may be communicating with. Self awareness of how our own use of language has been shaped by our background and an understanding of what shapes others use of language leads to better communication, understanding and empathy.

There are three different types of sets of words which has same sounds and which look alike.They are

Ever been in a situation where you were the only person who couldn’t understand a specific language? Ever been in a situation where you felt no one could understand you? Do you remember how it made you feel in that moment? Imagine feeling that way all the time; alone, isolated, and misunderstood. Jimmy Santiago Baca and Maxine Hong Kingston do a great job of conveying these feelings in their articles. In the article “Coming into Language”, Jimmy Santiago tells his story as a troubled young man who never saw the value in reading and writing. And in the article “The Language of Silence”, Maxine Hong Kingston tells her story as a first generation Chinese American who struggles with speaking English. As for me, I’ve always struggled with

Nothing brings people together more than language. As an international student, I noticed that more often than not, international students tend to befriend those with a common native language. Perhaps their common language makes it easier for them to communicate since they might not be comfortable with speaking English. Another possibility would be that sharing a language can also mean that they share a common way of thinking. Lera Boroditsky, an assistant psychology professor at Stanford University, wrote the article “How Does Our Language Shape the Way We Think?” to illustrate to her readers that language, whether it is grammar or just the general logic, does indeed affect how we think. Boroditsky and research teams in Stanford and MIT collected data from all over the world. Because of the extensive amount of research and her article’s solid structure, I find Boroditsky’s argument easy to follow and understand, therefore quite convincing. She is so knowledgeable in her area that her arguments and article are solid and build on top of each other like Tetris tiles. A well-written article can only be achieved by knowing and understanding your material well.

The famous author Gloria Anzaldua believes that every human being has a diverse set of languages that they use to make it through everyday life. I agree with her 100%, not only do we have those sets, but only one of them is our true voice. For me, my true language is the one I use when I am around my close friends and family. Who are we without our language; without our language? Language is a key factor in knowing who you are, where you come from and even who you want to be.

Abstract The article focuses on one of the most serious accusations brought against Descartes and modern philosophy, namely “the dualism of substance”. The accusers claim that the human body and soul were viewed as completely separate; consequently, their relationship as such and the united being of man become incomprehensible. As has been shown above, the idea of the separation of the soul from the body did not originate with Descartes; it was formulated much earlier, and repeated by a disciple of Descartes’, Henry Leroy, known as Regius. When Descartes became aware of

　　　　Language is an essential part of our daily lives. Language is used to communicate with other people to meet our needs and satisfy our understandings. Everyone uses one language or another. Some have an advantage and are able to use

1. How does language or words shape everyday social reality (119-20)?   What does the word “respect” mean in your culture, in the Mexican culture (120), in your intercultural partner’s culture, etc.?   What is the fallacy in the following statement? “The key to successful intercultural communication is respect.”

Language is key in order to communicate vast complex “Englishes” we picked up during our youth and benefited from it by broadcasting our ideas to speak amongst our family, friends, and peers. Language is defined as, “ the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way,” by Merriam-Webster. From my perspective, I believe that our language can convey our “Englishes” to speak with many types of characters on certain types of situations. Knowing that we as humans, has a certain adaptation of picking up things we hear, can be beneficial due to the fact, that we use those components in order to communicate. In the article, “Mother Tongue,” by Amy Tan, discusses a time, where she had to deal with learning three types of “Englishes” from her mother which includes simple, broken and watered-down English. Having to deal many struggles and worrying about being criticized can be agitating due to the fact, that she wanted to be seen as speaking and writing proper academic English. But through thick and thin, Tan believes that the “Englishes” she learned from her mother is very important and shouldn’t be concealed with only them two but, should be shown towards everyone reading her stories. Having a vast amount of “Englishes” is great, however I specifically speak three types of English which consist of Taglish, texting, and academic English.

Being from an immigrant household, I understand the value of language. Growing up Bengali was my primary or ‘private’ language,I wasn’t introduced to English until I was 6, and since I went to a catholic school with American nuns I mastered the language fairly quickly.I would speak in English in school and return to speaking bengali with my family at home. Because most people in Bangladesh spoke Bengali which resulted in me not having to speak English as a primary language until I moved to the United States. After we moved it was hard for me to keep up a conversation in English as I was not used to speaking it so often and so fast, but my mother always encouraged us to speak to her in english so that all of us got some practice.

Another unexpected source of support comes from Deborah Tannen in her essay entitled “Conversational Styles.” “Americans are often proud that they discount the significance of cultural differences: “We are all individuals,” many people boast. Ignoring such issues as gender, and ethnicity becomes a source of pride: “ I treat everyone the same.” But treating people the same is not equal treatment if they are not the same.”(Tannen 549) By discounting the cultural differences such as language, students are not being treated as equals, as they are not being allowed to learn English. A perfect example of this is shown every day in the classroom when children slip into their desks, and pull out their English books.

Speaking philosophically and from the Utilitarianism standpoint of Jeremy Bentham, all of our pleasures, or lack thereof are equal, and no pleasure counts more than any other. The gin that a girl selling flowers outside of an opera house is no less worthy than the pleasure that the opera attendees receive (Cabrillo.edu). Value is then defined by the pleasure that the individual experiences. However, in his book Utilitarianism (1906), John Stuart Mill stated, “It is better to be a human dissatisfied that a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a

This essay analyses the role of the language in colonized land by English empire. More in specific, how the colonial and post-colonial poems dealing with this powerful tool which is ‘language’. I will take in consideration Derek Wolcott. Drawing thought two of his poems, I am going to point out the way he uses ‘language’,