The Three Constructs Of Language, Culture And Identity

The connection between language and identity are our expressions, how we are able to show our ideas and feeling which parts of our ethnicity are. For example, in the reading “Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood,” the language was an important resource for the kids to communicate with their Spanish culture, show affects to their parents and have communication with their families. Nevertheless,

Part One, Language and Identity, includes personal essays that explore the struggles of two individuals with issues of identity connected to the languages they were raised to

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.

In my opinion bilingualism plays a major role in the educational development of children. This is because research has shown that children who are fluent in their home language are more successful in learning a second language. Furthermore, being bilingual offers greater sensitivity to language, more flexibility in thinking and better ear for listening. It also improves a child’s understanding for the native language. Moreover, knowledge of other languages increases a career of opportunities offering several job options.

In Richard Rodriguez's essay , “ Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood ” he writes about how he struggled as a child who only spoke Spanish language but lives in a society where the “public” language is English . He believes that speaking proper English will somehow help him fit into society and find his “true” identity. Throughout the essay he contrast the Spanish language identity and English language identity. As a young boy, Rodriguez finds consolation and safety in his home where they only speak Spanish. He feels that he only has a true identity when he is at home surrounded by those who speak the same language as him . On the contrary , he becomes trapped and disoriented when not being able to speak / understand the English language . He feels as if he is not part of “their world” and has no identity in society. By comparing and contrasting Spanish language identity and English language identity . Rodriguez's essay is an example that speaking different languages should not make anyone choose an identity . In fact being able to speak and understand multiple languages in his case Spanish and English makes the language a part of his identity, but with two different sides .

Unconsciously, we all speak different languages; we categorize the way we speak by the environment and people at which we are speaking too. Whenever a character enters an unfamiliar environment, they experiment with language to find themselves and understand reality. For immigrants, language is a means to retain one’s identity; however, as they become more assimilated in their new communities their language no longer reflects that of their identity but of their new cultural surroundings. When an immigrant, immigrates to a new country they become marginalized, they’re alienated from common cultural practices, social ritual, and scripted behavior. It’s not without intercultural communication and negotiation

"Identity is the essential core of who we are as individuals, the conscious experience of the self inside" - Kaufman (Anzuldύa 62). Coming to America and speaking more than one language, I often face similar situations as Gloria Anzaldύa and Amy Tan. Going to high school where personal image is a big part of a student 's life is very nerve racking. American Values are often forced upon students and a certain way of life is expected of them. Many times, in America, people look down on people who do not accept the American Way of Life. The struggle of "fitting in" and accepting the cultural background is a major point in both essays, _Mother Tongue_ by Amy Tan and _How to Tame a Wild Tongue_ by

The person’s identity reflects his culture and from where he belongs. People who migrate from their homeland to a foreign country struggled between native and foreign language. One has to become multilingual due to the demand of society to be able to communicate. In James Baldwin, “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” And Amy Tan’s, “Mother Tongue” both authors experience struggle of language role and being bilingual in order to adjust in different societies. Leaving native language and being bilingual affects one’s public identity, personal life and inequality.

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?

Language is an important part of our lives. I remember when I arrived to USA I could speak a little English. I went to school to improve my language, reading and writing skills; even now I am learning my second language, without English I cannot survive in this new environment. Now I am raising my own kids and I want them to have this important skill, this privilege of knowing a second language, language of their parents and grandparents. By looking at studies of bilingual children, research shows how important it is for a child to learn a second language. Raising a bilingual child is a benefit because it improves social skills, academic proficiency, introduces child to a different culture, and prepares for the future.

Language and identity are two things that are very closely related. In the excerpt of “How to Tame a wild Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, the author does an excellent job of explaining how identity and language blend right together. By hearing someone speak their language one could determine a person’s cultural values and their identity. In the excerpt Anzaldua says, “For a people who cannot entirely identify with either standard Spanish or English, what recourse is left to them but to create their own language?” By this quote, author is trying to show that it is very important for a person to connect with their language because the way someone speaks a language will reflect their identity and their value in a society.

Countries around the world have become increasingly globalized with the majority requiring children to begin learning a foreign language through second language acquisition programs. These children are becoming more aware of other cultures and are exposed to understanding the importance of increasing connections with other cultures. Children that are bilingual or multilingual are essentially prepared to enter a competitive workforce in an increasingly globalized world. Additionally, the psychological aspect of learning a second language is advantageous and beneficial for the young developing mind. On the other hand, America doesn’t require children to learn a second language and the majority are monolingual. Only in high school are the majority

Nowadays, with the globalization process, people are closer to get to know new languages and cultures because they can access more easily to a big variety of information all around the world. Being close to information is crucial in the languages’ world since people are already involved and contextualized in it, for instance; English is the Lingua Franca; it is everywhere: The Internet, books, advertisement, films and the like. In this understanding, English learning has become a necessity for some countries, especially those which are influenced politically, socially or even ideologically by English-speaking countries. Nonetheless, regarding languages, identity and speaker’s identity, a social, cognitive phenomenon is becoming polemical in many Spanish-speaking countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and also in North America, particularly in states with large Hispanic communities settled down; it is known as Spanglish.

“Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man's life is independent. He is born not for the development of the society alone, but for the development of his self”. B.R. Ambedkar, in Develop with Fact: Neutralizing the Catalysts of Downturn, p. 57. There are many different languages spoken around the world. Sometimes it can create a barrier when trying to communicate. Other times it may cause you to be judged because you have a different accent, or you use different terminology. Language can play a small role in how people’s identities are formed., The language variety that you speak as a native language is closely tied to your geographical identity.

Language is a means of expression. We express our feelings, emotions, thoughts, needs, desires etc. in words, symbols and gesture which is considered as language. Language can be defined as verbal, physical, biologically innate, and a basic form of communication. Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. Thus culture finds its expression in language; so, learning a new language without familiarity with its culture remains incomplete. This paper aims at defining culture, its relationship with language and what role it plays in teaching and learning language.