Language inseparable from cultural identity
Print Edition
Q: How is language used to construct one’s identity?
A: A language constructs one’s identity because it means a different culture, a different set of thoughts and education, creating a different personality. And also the use of language can tell you the level of education of a person.
Q: How do people use one or more languages in various contexts to express their individual identity?
A: In different languages there are different ways and words to express different feelings and moods, so changing between language can allow the author to express their feelings more accurately or create a different mood by switching to a different language.
Q: How does one’s use of multiple languages reflect multiple identities?
A: Using different languages can reflect one’s different identity. For example, for someone speaking both English and Chinese, if Chinese is their mother tongue, using it will make them feel more secure and at ease, and change the way they act and speak unconsciously; therefore the use of different languages and the different words chosen will help show the two different sides of the author.
Q: Are some languages more bound to a particular culture than others?
A: When you learn English, you automatically relate to the places where people speak English, like the United States. So you will tend to study more about the culture of the States and how it evolved instead of learning the history of the English language. Likewise when you are learning Chinese, you will study the culture of China.
(Ryan Lam is a Grade 11 student at SSIS.)
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