The Only Language Widely Used Language plays a significant role in defining who we are. It is a method of communication in a structured and conventional way. “Language reinforces feelings of social superiority or inferiority; it creates insiders and outsiders” (p. 242) states Robert MacNeil (2012) in his article “English Belongs to Everybody”. Robert MacNeil, a writer of many great historical articles, was once, a journalist and news anchor. In his article, “English Belongs to Everybody”, MacNeil responds to the fear of many Americans who believe that Spanish will soon sweep over English. He argues that English can not be diluted by any other language as “it has prospered and grown because it was able to accept and absorb changes,” …show more content…
According to MacNeil, language classifies our ranks in the society we live in reinforcing “feelings of social superiority or inferiority” (2012, p. 242). By this the author suggests how changes in language test the patience of individuals of which “some are good humored and tolerant of change, others intolerant and snobbish” (2012, p. 242). Throughout the article MacNeil provides extracts from various books to support his argument. He quotes Otto Jesperson, a Danish scholar, who in his “Growth and structure of the English language” who talks about two languages, French and English, comparing one to a garden and latter to a park. Jesperson describes the relation between a language and a man’s free will. MacNeil also quotes Churchill who states that many languages combined, produced English as a language. By quoting Churchill and Jesperson, MacNeil supports his argument with ethos and logos. On the other hand, the main point MacNeil talks about, English being the only language used commonly does not seem to be valid. Chinese, Arabic and French including Spanish as mentioned by MacNeil are languages widely spoken and learnt. The way MacNeil supports his argument using limited sources discussing them several times gets the reader to lose interest. MacNeil also fails to present a counter argument in his essay in order to convince the reader towards his point. Counter argument is one of the most important components of an argumentative essay as it lets the reader relate to a
Language has been an integral part of human existence since the dawn of time. Our innate ability to communicate has guided the progress of civilization since its modest beginnings and facilitates our understanding of what it means to be human. The only practical way to thoroughly express one’s identity is through language, whether it be verbal speech or written text. It is only through this medium that we are able to fulfill our roles as a social people, who use discourse to cultivate relationships both on a personal and communal level. Language defines the human notion of self by revealing culture and beliefs, making individuality context-specific, and providing identity markers.
All three authors realize the fact that language has changed and differently develop their main idea based on it. MacNeil argues that rapid social changes, such as immigration and war, have altered English (MacNeil 308). For example, even though people have a tendency
In the essay “Last Words,” published on the first of October in 2006, the author Walter Michaels instills an idea of what to do when a language is loss. Throughout the essay, he gives examples of how languages are (and how they could be) lost. He also points out, that even though many of those reasons have been eliminated, that languages continue to go extinct. Thus, the author brings up the point, “Why would it be a tragedy if English disappeared?” Although people mourn the loss of a language, Michaels argues that speakers of the dying language should exert effort to learn the dominate one.
The article ‘My Two Lives’ which that highlights the concept of ‘Language and Society’ published by the Newsweek, inspires this task. Language is both a system of communication between individuals and a social phenomenon. The area of language and society, sociolinguistics, is intended to show how such factors as class, gender, race, and more govern our use of language. In short, language constitutes humans and their identities. All people either utilize varieties of a language or use two or more languages to respond to a whole range of affective and interpersonal demands; language by depiction must be defined as multilingualism.
In the “Don’t Make English Official-Ban It Instead” originally published in the Washington Post, Dennis Baron analyzes the fact that making English the official language of the United States will not stop people from speaking other languages.The author proves his point through the proposal of banding English. In this short review, I will discuss not just what was written, but how the examples, and analysis help make the author’s point. I will conclude by telling what questions I had at the end, as a reader, and where or what I would research to answer those questions.
British novelist William Golding once stated, “Language fits over experience like a straight-jacket.” As human beings, we feel the constant urge to express and communicate, in hopes of making sense of the world around us. However, language is limiting, restrictive, and confining. It attempts to place infinitely complex experiences into a finite number of words. The significance and essence of human experience is lost through our words, because language simply cannot express our thoughts and emotions in their truest forms. But, who would we be without language? Lacking the ability to communicate would take away from our understanding of the world and people around us. This understanding of our place in society, is what forms our identity, because it sets us apart from others. How could we know good, if there was no such thing as bad? The meaning of the word “good,” would be rendered useless without the existence of “bad.” Similarly, our identity depends on not only who we are as individuals, but who we are in relation to others. As a result, language is deeply embedded in our sense of identity, because it provides us with the knowledge that gives us the ability to compare ourselves to the world around us. With this thought in mind, to what extent does language influence our identity?
The Language of our Time Language, spoken or written, is a form of human communication consisting of the use of words in a conventional and structured way. The language of our birth, the language of everyone’s first words, creates a powerful bond and shapes an individual’s perception of the world. And yet, only few people truly understand the effects a language can have on others or the extent a language can manipulate people through their state of mind. Language can help define the identity of an individual. It shapes a person’s mind based on their past and helps people into the future.
Near the beginning of the article, Mydans mentions an argument made by Nicholas Ostler, the author of "Empires of the Word," in that English will rise to a certain point and then ultimately collapse, just as Latin did. Mydans later considers the argument Nerrière brings up in that English has too many words, and a simpler form must be created in order for there to be a true global language. Mydans points out these counterarguments as methods to emphasize that although there are doubts, English will and can overcome other languages in one way or another as the dominant language of the world. Some readers might think adding these counterarguments might hurt Mydans' case, but as a skilled writer, Mydans knows introducing these rebuttals will help accentuate his
Since the beginning of time man has discovered communication through language to be a vital way to exist in a civilized world. Over the centuries, man has overcome many barriers to find ways to effectively communicate amongst each other through language. Cultural differences, religious beliefs, languages dialects, and societal influences have all contributed to the “common” language used today. “Each has paid, and is paying a different price for this “common” language, in which, as it turns out, they are not saying, and cannot be saying, the same thing.” (Baldwin) In the following essays; “If Black English Isn’t A Language, Then Tell Me What Is?” and “Learning To Read and Write” mirrors the cultural feelings of education and learning dilemmas,
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.
Humans act toward people, things, and events on the basis of the meanings they assign to them. Once people define a situation as real, it has very real consequences. Without language there would be no thought, no sense of self, and no socializing presence of society within the individual. (Socio-cultural tradition)
Linguistic stereotypes are an existent form of discrimination. Since, languages are criticized and mocked due to the connection between language and cultural character. Thus, language is significantly related to the identity of the speakers. In addition, languages are vulnerable to criticism due to differences in cultural behavior.
There are 6,909 languages spoken in the world today (Anderson). As of 2009, roughly 328 million people speak English as their first language, coming in third to Chinese and Spanish (Languages of the World). This essay will describe the geographies, politics, and arts that contributed to the evolution of the present English language, as well as the different pronunciations, dialects, and varieties that have risen up throughout the world.
“In the world were over seven thousand languages have exisisted, one language had become dominate. This dominant language is English.” “In the majority of countries throughout the world speak English as their second or first language, no longer just America or England.” English has taken many forms, American English, the Queen’s English, Australian, Canadian English, and several others. Even American English has taken several types of English, Jersey English, East Coast English, West Coast English, Southern English, slang English, and Ebonics. All of these languages have major variants between them, but are all of them are still understood aboard. Without English the world couldn’t operate,
From my readings to research from Edutopia to literature courses, I have gained a deeper appreciation for language. In order to understand what one is speaking, a person needs to spend time listening to one’s language and before responding must reflect and analyze what the other said and how to respond. If a person wants to love another person they have to listen to their language in order to speak their language, and the core part of learning another language is by listening. According to Joan Blaska, author of The Power of Language: Speak and Write Using “Person First” the language people use shows one’s bias and prejudices. Beliefs and another’s performance fall under the influence of language. Blaska claimed “ the degree to which children are able to perceive themselves as competent and worthy, or the opposite, is heavily influenced by the verbalizations used by their teachers...Studies have found that labeling of students does affect teacher expectations which in turn affects student progress”. People have heavy influence with their words, because of this, our language must be intentional in a way, that breaks down negative stereotypes and helps one gain empathy as well as seeing others capabilities. Communicating and reading others comments and inquiring others has helped me to accept