Dilemma of Language Barrier, Essay Example

Introduction

Language is a form of tool that is used by humans to communicate and connect with others in the community. However, what could possibly happen when this very tool becomes a strong barrier that brings one to a point of shame making it harder for that individual to connect with others? Due to the increased desire of humans to be successful in life, several individuals from nations around the American region specifically feel like as if they are in need of transferring from their country towards America just so to be able to create a possibility of advancing their lifestyle so as to support the idea of becoming more successful. As a result, immigration towards the American region starts to increase in number every year. For a fact, I myself am one of the individuals who have been affected by such a movement.

Emigrating from one’s own homeland towards a foreign country is not a mere game. It is a serious decision that should involve serious considerations on the part of the ones transferring their residence. Notably, it could be analyzed that on my part, even though I knew there would be changes as well as challenges, I was not able to perceive them as actual as I was able to experience them myself. Language has become one of the most critical point of the challenge I needed to face as an immigrant of the country. From the moment that I set foot in the American soil, language barrier between my country and that of the American society has created such a great source of tension on my part. I shall relate in this presentation a particular experience that have marked my entrance to the American society and has basically pushed me to make sure that language does not become a barrier for me in the future anymore.

My Experience

I felt like an ice cream melting (metaphor) in the middle of an air conditioned room full of eyes staring at me for about three minutes already just waiting for me to complete my sentence. It was the first day of school and just about my second week in the US. Being a non-English speaker, I am still struggling to immediately get my thoughts together and utilize the language in a direct conversation practice. I was being asked by the professor to tell the class something about myself, my culture, my background and my expectations of the American society. The question, even though it was clear to me, I was not sure what to say or at least how to say it.

In my mind I knew that I wanted to say so much so as to make the class understand who I really am. Nevertheless, the existence of language barrier left me so quiet in the middle of everyone else trying to juggle my head regarding the different translations that I know of. I started with, “hi” and then followed by details of where I come from and where I currently reside. After that, I tried to arrange my thoughts according to the pattern of the question from the professor, but to my dismay, my nervous attitude pushed me to the edge of having nothing to say. At the time, I felt like a melting ice cream in the middle of my new classmates even though the room was fairly air conditioned.

My eyes were roaming around while trying to decipher the reaction on my classmates’ faces. I finally admitted that I was not going to be able to speak out my mind properly and struggling through it would only cause me more stress. Just when I was about to speak out and tell the professor I pass for this question, he said: “don’t be shy, it is but normal that you are quite nervous about speaking out knowing that you are not here from this country. If you want you can sit down for a while, fix your thoughts and I’ll call your name again later”. At the point of hearing that I felt a sense of relief, although I also felt a sense of disappointment on myself. I knew that the question was pretty easy to answer and that the response was simple enough for me to establish especially for the sake of presenting myself to my class; but I just let the said chance pass me by like the wind that was blowing outside when I looked out the window beside me.

The scenery from outside my window made me realize of home and helped me picture what it was like to be home again. And that was when it hit me, I am good in using descriptive words in the English language. I knew how to make my way through using these words effectively just as how my mother used to read me an English story that has a lot of descriptions in it. I then thought it would be possible to use this approach to mention to the class where I was from really and how I feel about the American nation as well as what I expected from it. After calling the attention of four of my other classmates [whose answers I was not able to hear because I was too busy trying to create my own script in my mind], my professor went back to me and said: “Okay, are you ready now? Can you share with us what you think this time?”

I answered “yes” and took a deep breath and said:

“My home is like everyone else’s. I lived with my parents and some other relatives around me. Playing around with my cousins and siblings was one of the best parts of the day and being able to just sit around and watch the sun set while everyone else is busy is a gift I will never trade for anything. I cannot say so much about my life there other than the idea that in my heart, those memories will remain as true as they are.

I am not good in speaking English yet. To tell you the truth, I seriously suck at it. I use simple words and I am still struggling to express myself. But I guess, with this American challenge making me stronger everyday, there would come a time when I would finally be able to accomplish something, and I hope for now, that would be the ability to speak the language properly and be able to tell you more about myself, my life, my culture, my country and all the good things that I wish to share with you all. For now, this is all I have, I hope you would accept my apology”.

My head was still cluttered up after I finished that little speech. I did not even known if my professor or if any of my classmates actually understood a thing I said. Nevertheless, I was able to answer and was hoping that somehow, that would not pull my grade down especially for the first day of class. My professor grinned and told me:

“to tell you frankly, that was a pretty good speech…don’t you worry, you’ll get the hang of the language and soon, who knows, you might even make a good impression on my subject”…

Those words made my heart skip a beat and made feel so accomplished for the day. I realized that if I really pull myself together and just let the words flow out of my mouth without tension, I would be able to speak out clearly what was on my mind. Of course, during the time, I could say I was still not a good speaker in the language, but my classmates always wanted me to tell stories no matter how simple my words were. They seemed to have been greatly entertained with the way I described a lot of things about my hometown. This is when I knew that language only becomes a barrier when it is spoken out of tension. But when it is spoken out from the heart, it becomes a mere source of confidence that provides one a chance to become more attached to the people around him.

Conclusion

Life is full of challenges, that is true. Especially if one hopes to achieve success. Nothing comes in big beautiful packages without having the chance to follow a pattern of hardships in the long way. As for me, if language was the primary challenge for me, I know that there are more others to come. Nevertheless, I know also that if I continue embracing the capability to make a assumptive developments in the ways by which I handle my capacity to face this form of language barrier, I would be able to face any other challenges that might still come my way. Every day, I am still improving in utilizing the English language and somehow, I could say that I am beginning to get the hang of it especially in using it in natural conversations with friends, families, professors and other individuals I get into contact with.

At this point, I could proudly say that instead of being a mere barrier, the English language, its practice and its utilization, has provided me with the proper chance to define my individuality and improve my personality especially in facing the challenges that come my way. The notable understanding that I have gained when it comes to control and language immersion allowed me to become more aware of the community that surrounds me, the events that are happening everyday and the people living in it. Relatively, this change of attitude caused me to find more interesting issues to talk about which most of those I converse with find specifically inviting and reassuring making them more comfortable in talking with me; a matter that I would always be thankful for when it comes to using the English language effectively.