What Constitutes Language, Article Review Example

Language, according to most sociologists, is the primary element that constitutes culture. It specifically binds the different members of the community together to form a specific group that defines their integrity specifically creating a link among the said people [having individual uniqueness among themselves, and specific characteristics that specifically define their personal identity]. However, in a world of global camaraderie, the existence of cultural mixing becomes a common place especially in relation to how modern language is recognized along with the role that it plays in the society.

In Ricardo Otheguy and Nancy Stern’s article entitled On so-called Spanglish, they provide specific indications on why the term “Spanglish” should not be accepted as a form of new language. Apparently, Latin American communities in the United States try to specifically learn the English language, however they do mix it up with their native language, Spanish. Due to this, new words and connotations are formed. The authors however note that the term Spanglish do not give justice to the language that was created; they mention that it is rather misleading, as if pointing out that the new slang becomes a legitimate language among Latin American immigrants in the US while giving the people a sense of realization that they are to change their mother tongue to the new language as they live in a new country.

This however is negated by the article written by Beatens Beardsmore entitled Who’s Afraid of Bilingualism. In this article Beardsmore tries to create a distinct picture on showing why and how globalization is supposed to be accepted as the basis of new culture. It is pointed out through this material that bilingualism should not be considered as an element against nationalism or patriarchy that people tend to depend on as they see their individual identity along with that of their national bearing. Relatively, in this reading, it is explained that nationalism should not be threatened by the fact that the emergence of new culture and new forms of languages arise in the global scene; instead, it should strengthen the connection of the people with each other as they face the world of new challenges.

So what constitutes language? And how does it tend to characterize the growing emphasis on how globalization permeates the growth of the new communities around the globe? The readings noted in this discussion present a practical indication that language remains to be a binding element between people of all nations and all races. With globalization given attention to, the rationale behind language barrier becomes the answer to the distinct distance of people between each other even when they are living in one specific location only; hence pointing out that the role of language, being negative or positive, depends on the people who utilize it for communication.