We as humans tend to see language as a way to represent ourselves, as it can tell stories of who we are or where we came from. Language has been used for thousands of years. as a representation of people’s cultures and highlights people’s identities with the different languages we have showing how diverse our world is. Throughout time many people have faced prejudice because they do not speak perfect English or one native language. Most people tend to group language and cultural identity together and insinuate that if a person comes to America they have to be stripped of their culture and language and conform to ours; they are forced to speak English. This essay will discuss the importance language plays in representing individuals and their cultures, as well as outline the issues that come with trying to assimilate others into one form of identity. 

The mechanism of social function and the means of communicating collective ideals and identities, language is instinctive to culture. Different journalists have similar claims about promoting cultural preservation through language. Jessica Vizuette asserts in her article “Language and Identity: The Construction of the Self” that culture is integral in defining a person. She further states, “There is a strong connection between an individual’s mother tongue and their culture, yet if children do not speak their parents’ language, it might be difficult to identify with their roots. (Vizuette).” she supports her claim by correlating the development of babies and aspects of culture and identity with the linguistic journeys that adolescents experience throughout their development, and well into adulthood. She adheres to a caregiving tone which suggests that her intended audience is the parents. 

Similarly, in “The Relationship Between Language, Identity and Cultural Differences: A Critical Review” (2018) Sultan Hammad Alshammari vocalizes that identity, culture, and language are closely related. Alshammari draws these ideas from his personal experiences in the Middle East to remark on cultural differences and language. Alshammari states, “This custom of ‘getting things by the right hand or even eating by the right hand is considered polite and respectful in some cultures, while other cultures may not consider it a big deal. The meaning of this custom of course gives us a sense of our identity, which distinguishes us from others (Alshammari 100).” He contends that language is not just verbal but is also comprised of physical interactions like shaking the right hand or receiving things from the right hand. 

“Exploring the Relationship between Language, Culture and Identity” (2003), by Lee Su Kim, mentions throughout the text that “Without culture, language cannot exist. Language and culture are so interconnected that it is difficult to define the parameters of language and culture, and whether language impacts culture or vice-versa.” lee supports this claim by saying Humans utilize language as a kind of communication to organize, structure and convey their knowledge and experience Codes and symbols make up its composition.  by the way this article was written it shows that the audience is for people who are studying language and are learning the history behind the way humans connected with people through culture and language.  

In “Languages and Identities” (2006), Michael BYRAM, University of Durham, United Kingdom by Michael says that “Languages are both acquired naturally and taught formally and both natural acquisition and formal teaching create, strengthen or weaken the links between languages and identities.” Michael proves this point by saying that being able to speak the language makes you an “insider” of the group where everyone in it can speak the language, and if you don’t speak the language, you are proven to be an outcast where you are considered not one of “them”. This article is very much geared towards people who really put language and identity together and how the language you speak really shows what your identity or culture is.  

In the article “THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY. THE USE OF THE HOME LANGUAGE AS A HUMAN 29∗RIGHT OF THE IMMIGRANT” (2008) , by lourdes C. rovira, begins to mention that “Language is intrinsic to the expression of culture. Language is a fundamental aspect of cultural identity. It is the means by which we convey our innermost self from generation to generation.”  This idea touches on the emotional connection one may feel to their home language, as it promotes a sense of comfort, stability, and familiarity. In addition, there are many languages in which one may not be able to accurately transcribe their feelings into English, as there are words that may or may not supplement in their own language. Therefore, one’s only language may be the only in-depth way for their feelings to be understood in their entirety.  

The outcomes of the research have concluded that when it comes to thinking about someone and the way that they talk it not only shows them as a person but their background and where they came from or maybe even their culture. But this also shows that we should look at a language in a deeper way and how there can be many ways to speak one language just as there are many ways to cook a certain dish, it’s your own style that fits their comfort. 

Language is something we hear every day that plays a big role in our lives whether we know it or not, it is a way that we communicate with people that we meet using our voices or even body language. People have always found non-English speakers to be the monkey in the middle when it came to being accepted but over time we have just grown out of that state. Even though there are still some people who fuss over it because they feel they have more power or say over no English speakers.  While this has happened throughout time, we have grown to adapt our own versions of the language to try and fit in society.