I have just submitted an interview that I did with another student, we curated the questions together and we wanted to focus on the topic on how language and communication forms cultural identity. One of the questions was: “How do you see language as a reflection of cultural identity?” I answered the below:
I think that language is a piece of reflection of cultural identity because through language you can see how people of that culture use their words, movement of expression and their tones. It is quite fascinating for me when I learn a language. In the beginning of not knowing a certain language, that language when spoken sounds like noise and not making any sense. Plus when adding gestures through the hands and facial expressions, I am curious what they are saying and why. But once you learn the language, it is like you are entering their world. The noise turns into words and meaning, and I have the opportunity of understanding more the identity of that culture through communication.
I feel this topic is so interesting, and it is true before you learn a language it is just sounds. But once you just learn the simple question “how are you?” it is like wow, your foot has entered their universe. The way people communicate in different countries around the world, or even within the same country, but of different towns have their own slang and gestures that sheds light on their identity. I guess that is why I enjoy learning different languages because I love the idea of being outside a world that I cannot communicate in, but once I learn just even the basics, I get to see what is on the other side of the language barrier.