Language and Linguistic Identity, Essay Example

Identifying the Role of Language in Establishing Social Identity

 Introduction

A community is considered to be a particular group of human individuals assumed to be ‘as one’ due to the elements of culture that they share. Among the most common denominator in consideration to this matter is the existence of a common language. Language [being a noun itself] is considered as the tool that includes the words and their meanings as they are spoken and reacted upon by human individuals through communication. In a sense, people who may not share the same race nor the same nationality but share a particular genre of commonality could be considered as a community. Relatively, it is the language that they speak of that unifies them, hence classifying them as one ‘community’. The truth is, even a group of children that communicate between each other using a common process of giving meaning to words specifically provide a good sense of community. This is the matter noted in the writing of Kromidas (2012) as she mentions, first, it best captures children’s unique positioning in the social world; fully socially competent beings that can stand outside common sense, if only for fleeting moments (320).

It could be observed though that when language is not used in a proper manner, interpreting it would be a hard matter to consider. This is the reason why proper command of a certain language on the part of the ones speaking it and the ones listening as well is important. When such an effective approach to using language is considered, then the creation of good communication becomes possible. Language, being the noun, is utilized through human communication, which is defined as the act of connecting to others through the effective use of language. In the discussion that follows, understanding how language actually becomes a tool in establishing social identity shall be given attention to. Regarding this matter, it is to be proven that language, when properly used and executed through communication, could create a better sense of connection between human individuals utilizing the said tool of speech and expression.

The Relationship between Language and Communication

Language ‘per se’ might mean two different matters specifically directed to the idea of what is being utilized by a person or persons to communicate with the other. One may refer to the actual spoken language. This aspect of language is bounded by limitations of grammar and the rules of analyzing the meaning of each word included within a particular conversation. Tannen (1986) specifically points out such matter as she refers to ‘folk formality’ as a sense of the identity of the natives apart from the identity that the ancient generation is known for to be apart from the modern form of communicating between each other (249). Another aspect of language involves non-verbal speech. Body language, as it is often called, provides a great impact on how verbal conversations are being interpreted by the listeners. Most often than not, in relation to how words are utilized in communicating with others, interpreting their semiotic meaning does invoke a sense of defining their inner sense of directive messaging through the body language of the one speaking. This is relatively true in relation to how the women converse. As Mizokami notes it, women speak differently than men and thus converse differently as well especially when it comes to giving meaning (148). For women, body language is the basis of the real meaning of the message that the person speaking wants to tell (149). For instance, one might say ‘yes’ and yet his body language suggests otherwise based on the way his façade dictates a differential meaning of his speech.

True, whatever form of language a community considers, it is obvious how each language defines a community, an era and even a nation apart from another. For instance, through the years, language has played a great role in defining the condition of living that people had to deal with. In the years of imperialism, it was evidently important to have a language that is spoken in unity by the reigning empire and that of its colonies. Leaders knew that it is only through this that they would be able to keep their subjects’ strength, thus implicating a sense of distinction as to how they are to direct their international plans of establishing their administrational governance (Christiansen, et al, 2003, 306). On the contrary, locals who knew that they need to reunite together to attain freedom from becoming the colonies of the more powerful countries decided to use language in a way that they are to communicate among their comrades the plans of revolt. Most of these attempts to freedom specifically made way for the utilization of the different aspects of communication such as written and verbal. People intended to connect to one another the best way that they can as they hope to send out a message of hope in relation to the independence that they want to attain. Yes, this fact in history serves as a proof that the way the brain interprets language through time and experience specifically gives a key indication on what role language is supposed to take in consideration with the way it unites a community together (Christiansen, et al, 2003, 305).

In the modern society, language still is recognized as a strong tool for creating communal unity. Relatively, it is through the utilization of a common language that people are unified amidst the possible personal or cultural differences they may have from each other. In highly urbanized locations around the United States such as New York, the creation of a common language is important especially that they are dealing with a population coming from very diverse backgrounds. At the verge of imposing the principles of globalization, people have become more interested in immigrating to places like New York, in the hope of finding better ways of living . The challenge of learning a new language for the sake of unifying one’s self with the new community he hopes to enjoin (Tatersall, 2008, 112). This is the reason why language could be treated either as a hindrance or a source of unity for creating communities based on how it is used and perceived by the human individuals at a personal level of understanding.

Conclusion

Through the years, it is expected that the definition of language as a tool towards establishing unified communities would continue to redefine the procedures taken by the different nations towards modern living. Highly urbanized areas like New York in the United States are expected to continue receiving immigrants within its territories hence making it a cradle of the creation of new languages formed through the amalgamation of cultures, traditions and even the spoken language of different groups of people coming from different regions of the world. With this in light of thinking, it could be realized how communication establishes the role of language to unite people or to break communities based on how humans themselves realize the value of the said aspect of human growth.

References:

Christiansen, M; Kirby, S. (2003). Language evolution: consensus and controversies. TRENDS in Cognitive Sciences Vol.7 No.7 July 2003.

Kromidas, M. (2012). Affiliation or appropriation? Crossing and the politics of race among children in New York City. Childhood Journal.

Mizokami, Y. Does ‘Women’s Language ’Really Exist?: A Critical Assessment of Sex Difference Research in Sociolinguistics.

Tannen, D. Folk Formality. Georgetown University.

Tatersall, I. (2008). An Evolutionary Framework for the Acquisition of Symbolic Cognition by Homo sapiens. Comparative Cognition and Behavior Reviews.