Abstract

In my exploratory essay iv’e argued for the ideology that identity takes a role on linguistics. Identity is what makes us who we are as a person and it distinguishes us from others, language is one of those factors that also determines who a person is. I used sources like Ted Talks and Peer Reviewed articles to make my point clear. By doing so i tried to inform my audience by utilizing the rhetorical devices such as logos.

Linguistics and Identity

Whether criticism of our language takes a toll on our identity has sparked an ongoing debate. There are many factors that affect who one becomes, Family, friends, culture and morals all take a place in constructing one’s form and sense of self. Identity can be impacted in various ways. A major factor that plays a role on our identity is who we identity with. Each person the moment that they are born are instantly part of a family group. In this group a growing child develops linguistic attributes that are affiliated with the family group. They may develop their own way of speaking according to what is the norm or commonly used way of speaking in the family group. Once the child grows older, they will establish and be part of other groups. An instance of when this can happen is when they have and establish their own friend group. Within this group the child is likely to develop another set of vocabularies and a different way of speaking when actively engaging being part of a group. Although this is common, many people are not aware that they are developing a different way of speaking or using a different set of vocabulary with a distinct group. People develop unique linguistic attributes that at times may not fit the standard section of what is established. Therefore, people get criticized in different places because of this. For example, it might be in a school setting, work setting and even within someone’s friend setting. The need for the awareness of a groups impact on linguistics is needed in order to combat prejudice and increase awareness of people from different backgrounds. One might be wounded by society’s remarks if they fail to speak and fit in the category of standard English. Being informed of what impacts language can bring about more understanding and appreciation of all linguistic forms and the betterment of society. The dominant and sub groups that we are affiliated with impact our identity and sense of self based of the engagement and involvement that we put in. Each group forms its own sense of vocabulary and speech thus shaping who we are as a person.

To illustrate this idea even more I will use the article titled “Language and Identity When you speak, I know where you belong.” By Lingvo.. The author mentions that language has two basic functions: communication and identity. Humans use this communicate in the groups that they are in “Therefore language is the principal factor through which people can distinguish whether a stranger belongs to their group or not, and in most cases also to which other group that person belongs” (Lingvo,1). I similarly hold the position of what this author stating since it is because of these groups people are able to develop their own lingo based on association. The author continues to argue that “Because of these many groups including family, city, region, nation, religion, philosophy, groups of friends, etc. each group tends to develop variations of language which demarcate it from other groups. Therefore, each speaker in practice speaks many language varieties, or registers, even if not aware of this. Humans are multilingual by nature” (Lingvo,1). I included this example because I wish to note that because of these group varieties, people are able to formulate their own sense of self identity and language as well.

Amy Tan a Chinese-American novelist, who is best known for her bestselling book The Joy Luck Club is a testament that due to having groups a specific way of speaking and language used can arise from it. In Tan’s essay titled “Mother Tongue” she supports Lingvo’s argument that a different variety of language used according to the group that a person is communicating with. Just last week, I was walking down the street with my mother, and I again found myself conscious of the English I was using, the English I do use with her. We were talking about the price of new and used furniture and I heard myself saying this: “Not waste money that way.” My husband was with us as well, and he didn’t notice any switch in my English. And then I realized why. It’s because over the twenty years we’ve been together I’ve often used that same kind of English with him, and sometimes he even uses it with me. It has become our language of intimacy, a different sort of English that relates to family talk, the language I grew up with.” (Tan,2). Tan is a prime example that supports the different variations of speaking that can be used depending on what group that you are with, in this case Tan uses a different way of speech when she is with her family. Lingvo extends this and states “The amount of usage of the lingo used within groups depends on the amount of engagement of them and much affiliation on has towards that group” (Lingvo,1). Since we use a special type of vocabulary within these groups and these groups are associated with us, it makes it a part of us. Ultimately the authors show how language and identity go hand in hand with each other.

Many would also agree that our thoughts and perceptions make up who we are and play a role on our identity. In the Ted Talk by Lera Boroditsky, the speaker poses the debated question whether language shapes the way we think. She also backs up her argument that language does impact who the person is by comparing different societies and their linguistic attributes. She mentions the differences of the languages of the world and note that because of the differences we have different mind sets. She supports this by starting with an example from an Aboriginal community in Australia that she had the chance to work with. “These are the Kuuk Thaayorre people. They live in Pormpuraaw at the very west edge of Cape York. What’s cool about Kuuk Thaayorre is, in Kuuk Thaayorre, they don’t use words like “left” and “right,” and instead, everything is in cardinal directions:north, south, east and west. And when I say everything, I really mean everything. You would say something like, “Oh, there’s an ant on your southwest leg.” Or, “Move your cup to the north-northeast a little bit.” In fact, the way that you say “hello” in Kuuk Thaayorre is you say, “Which way are you going? “And the answer should be, “North-northeast in the far distance. How about you?”” (Boroditsky,1 ). She continues to add that even though this may be tough to do “If your language and your culture trains you to do it, actually, you can do it. There are humans around the world who stay oriented really well” (Boroditsky,1). Extending on Boroditsky’s observations on her studies, I wish to add that this shows how the groups that we are a part of shape our language which is a big part on what makes a person them. Thus the way we think makes up a big part on our identity and who we are as a person. Our thoughts and the way that we perceive things constitute as a basis of how we lead our daily lives and carry on. Boroditsky mentions the beauty of linguistic diversity is that it reveals to us just how “Ingenious and how flexible the human mind is” (Boroditsky,2). Overall, she shows how indeed language does shape the way that we think. In comparison to Boroditsky the author Mohammad Neseh Nasrollahi Shahri also conducted research for himself. Mohammad Naseh Nasrollahi Shahri is a PhD candidate in the Department of Applied Linguistics at Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses primarily on the relation between language and identity as well as teacher education. In the journal he mentions that “The central question guiding the study is how learner identity affects the specifics of engagement in the English language. My perspective on language and identity in this article is that language is a social practice in which experiences are organized and identities negotiated” (Shahri, 1).  He supports this by analyzing two language learners named David and Navid. “. The study reveals how the two participants invest in two different voices that index their efforts toward the construction of a second language–mediated identity. Overall it demonstrated how identity and investment condition the particularities of engagement with language. The author stresses to show that there is a link between voice and one’s self.

Author Walt Wolfram extends this idea more and offers a solution in order to improve societies grasp when it comes to linguistics in the article “Everyone Has an Accent”. Wolfram is a respected professor at North Carolina State University, where he also directs the North Carolina language and Life project. He is also a researcher focusing on many topics including social and ethnic dialects and has published more than 20 books and over 300 articles. Wolfram asserts that we should learn how to embrace others different dialects and accents in order to improve our own English language rather than judge others because of their differences. The author proceeds to compare the findings to another study where students and teachers focused on “Dialect awareness”. The conclusion came out to be that the” Respect for and knowledge of a student’s community dialect aids rather than hinders the acquisition of standard English” (Wolfram,42). Wolfram uses these studies to advocate that the raise of awareness is necessary to put an end to the prejudice and assumptions that people make towards those with dialects to form a better society and improve our own linguistic skills. I concede alongside the author and want to add that due to the different types of groups that there are it is one of the causes of different language variations and I strongly agree and advocate alongside that awareness needs to be brought upon the public.

In conclusion it is clear that language and identity are tied together. People are unaware of the components that make up their identity. Language being one of them needs to be more understood and comprehended by society in order for the betterment of all. The prejudice that originates from differences in languages and dialects needs to be eradicated and more so teach others with an open mind to see in connections that language holds.

Works Cited

“Babylon.” Language and Identity / Babylon, lingvo.info/en/babylon/identity.

Boroditsky, Lera. “How Language Shapes the Way We Think.” TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think/up-next?language=en.

Mohammad Naseh Nasrollahi Shahri. “Constructing a Voice in English as a Foreign Language: Identity and Engagement.” TESOL Quarterly, vol. 52, no. 1, 2018, pp. 85–109.

Tan A. (1990) Mother Tongue . Threepenny Review 1990. Threepenny Review on JSTOR. [online] Accessed 1 Sep. 2018 From at: https://www.jstor.org/publisher/tpr.

Wolfram Walt, Everyone Has an Accent.  Teaching Tolerance. http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-18-fall-2000/eve

Cover Letter

There are many meaningful insights that I’ve had gained in this phase. I have learned so much more than expected throughout phase two. I have learned that there are many connotations that language holds. I have noticed that there are still barriers and progress that there has to be done in society in order to pave the way for a better more understanding path. I’ve learned that many people take interests within the linguistics matters. Many such as authors, reporters and researchers.

Authors, speakers and researchers demonstrate their main ideas and points throughout the use of rhetorical situations such as pathos, logos and ethos. A researcher might use his findings and studies and use them to support and convince the reader of his or her purpose. An author might use pathos to appeal to the readers thoughts by adding an anecdote or story to support their argument. Establishing a strong thesis and gathering strong pieces of evidence has definitely shaped the way of my writing.  The need to establish a proper thesis so the reader knows and gains insight of what your essay is has definitely impacted my writing and helped me achieve the course outcome of recognizing and practice rhetorical terms and strategies.

The instructional time taken in class in order to find and establish good and credible sources has really helped me in terms of doing research and writing over all. I’ve learned how to take advantage of the resources provided such as the CUNY Library system and data bases. I located research sources including academic journal articles, magazine and newspaper articles in the library’s databases or archives an on the internet and evaluate them for credibility, accuracy and bias. By achieving such outcome, I was able to find new types of sources like peer reviewed articles and other supplementary sources such as TED Talks. The synthesizing activity that we did also helped me assert my point across that I wanted the reader to understand. The peer review work we did also helped me write my paper. A classmate of mine was able to point out areas in my writing where I can improve. Overall during Phase two I was able to learn and inform myself of new resources and new things that I can use in order to help my literacy and writing improve.

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