Montiel 1

Marylyn Montiel

Ms. Batty

English 28

November 8, 2017

Language: Our Identity

Language is one of the things that contributed to us humans to develop fast in

civilization. It sets us apart from other species because not only we communicate in one language

but we have different languages from hand language to different countries using different

languages from us. Language contributes to everyone identity even to the smallest detail since in

different communities we might use a major language like English but put different vocabulary

or even different accents. Our languages sets us apart from different people because it forms our

identity and language can hold different conflicts, experience and beliefs.

Language can have different effects in different countries or communities. When I mean

by this I mean that it can start trouble for people of different languages. Language, aside from

making us communicate with each other it can spark conflicts. We see this in social media in

which we see that if we speak a language different to English we get the look from other

people because they arent used to hearing a different language or dont like that language at all.

This can effect someone when growing up since they can stop using their language or adapt to

English so they can fit in. Aside from the color of our skins, our different languages makes

others think what we are for an example someone can speak Spanish and immediately think they

are from Mexico or from South America. Language can set us apart and give us different

opportunities but it can also cause problems.

 Montiel 2

Our identity is soenthing that sets us apart from other people aside from our physical

features. If we speak the same language it doesnt mean we will experience the same thing

together like France and Haiti for example. Both speak French but yet one is richer and better

than the other. Another example is many immigrants try to move to the U.S to get better life and

a future for themselves or if they have kids for them. This love can effects someones identity

because they are learning another language for their gain and they betray their own language or

stop using it at all in which completely changes ones identity over time. This plays in our school

system as well! Many immigrants come to the U.S because of the opportunity but when they go

to school they see that their language isnt practiced so they leave behind at times their native

language to learn the English language. This leads back to conflict with countries since some

people see that learning a different language aside from your native language is a betrayal to

where you can from.

Finally, language plays a part in our beliefs and values that effect our identity. We are

usually speaking the language we are used to speaking or the easiest for us. Our identity is

different as well because of our beliefs and values like religion or even family. Different

languages can teach us different beliefs which leads to developing our identity as well. An

example is where I grew up I spoke Spanish as my first language then with that I was Introduced

to being catholic only and I wasnt introduced to being Muslim, Jewish or even cristian.