How does language include, exclude, represent or misrepresent?
Language is essential for everyone because we need to communicate with each other. Without language, we wouldn’t be where we are today. The only thing with language is that not everybody speaks the same language.
Our language is not just the way we speak. It is a representation of who we are, but just because we speak a certain dialect doesn’t mean that we are good or bad. Sometimes people think that different accents can mean different social classes. I don’t think we can judge someone on the way they deliver their ideas.
Language also represents our identity. Someone who’s really open minded and friendly would have a very positive tone, whereas someone not as friendly would not display positivity. Our language can also mean our emotions. If we’re very happy we may have a very vibrant tone whereas someone mad would be impatient and we would be able to tell by their language.
Using Basque cuisine and the Basque language as an example, their food represents their culture. They didn’t write their recipes down, so only the people who could speak Basque knew how to cook their food. This is an example of how language could exclude us. It’s not intentional, but it shows who they are. Their food is unique to their culture and language.
In the end, language is just a way of representing our emotions, displaying our likes and dislikes. I don’t think we should be judged for the language we speak or they way we speak it. Language should be unique to every individual because not everyone is the same and that’s what makes us who we are.
Why do I speak as I do and how does my language define me?
Communication is very important in the modern world. It’s how we understand each other and share our thoughts and ideas to one another. Nobody and I mean nobody is solely independent. The world we live in wouldn’t be the way it is if it weren’t for everyone. Language plays a vital part in our communication. What language we speak tells us a lot about ourselves, how we’ve been raised, what environments we’ve been exposed to and our cultural backgrounds or our roots.
I personally can fluently speak burmese or myanmar and english. I do speak a bit of spanish and mandarin, but I’m still learning and I can’t fluently speak it. I was raised by my parents who were burmese, but they had strong chinese roots and they still take part in chinese culture and rituals, festivals etc. I was sent to an international school when I was young so, I think my english level is internationally acceptable. My burmese is good, although I can’t write a lot of burmese.
Apart from language being what comes out of our mouth, language is also what we mean when we say things and our choice of words. I think language in that sense tells us a lot about who we are. I use very causal language and I don’t address people by their names a lot when I have conversations. My tone is casual and I have the tendency to rush a lot so sometimes I speak really quickly and people have a hard time understanding. Sometimes we also use abbreviations like lol or ikr when we speak because we usually use them when we use social media and text with people. It shows us how much more we spend time on the internet rather than having actual conversations.
To conclude I do think what we speak has anything to do with who we are, but the way we say it tells us a lot about ourselves. I also don’t think anyone should change the way they speak because we are who we are and we should be able to express ourselves through the way we speak.