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Barbara Mellix
"from the outside in" by Barbara Mellix
Languages represent identities and people use these languages to signal identities (Borland, 2005). On the other hand, different languages symbolize different cultures in which people belong. In addition, there is a relationship between language and sense of belonging to a national group (UEMATSU, 2010). This results in a sense of national identity in people living in a country. Consequently, this means that there is a national language spoken by all people with similar national identity. A study in the article, 'From Outside, In', by Barbara Mellix, shows that, adapting a new language can have challenges to both identity and culture. In this article, Barbara Mellix gives a clear indication that there are two languages in America; the Black English and the Standard English. Barbara Mellix being a Black American is conversant with her native language. However, she has to acquire the other language considered the proper English. In addition, she has to know the time and how to apply both languages. Therefore, this research claims that adopting a new language poses a challenge to define ones identity and culture in these linguistically and culturally different settings.
According to Barbara Mellix in her article, there is a difference between the city inhabitants and people from the country, basing on the language difference. The city dwellers, whose identity is proper blacks, and whites speak Standard English. On the other hand, the country people, who are the blacks, speak a mixture of the Black English and the Standard English. However, the article shows that there is a sense of inferiority among the blacks. Barbara proves this in the article by showing how her parents behave in the company of the city relatives. She states that they speak softly and shyly, and this is only when prompted. Barbara further articulates how the presence of their city relatives makes them have...
This is due to the presence of whites who live there. Presence of whites dictates occasions for use of proper English. As a black, one has to prove that he or she knows how to speak the Standard English and how to use it. However, using the Standard English while black shows inferiority in the customary way of speaking (Cortina, 2010). It makes them feel foolish, embarrassed and ashamed to be their real selves. That is their identities and cultures feel inferior to 'proper' blacks and whites, who speak Standard English. As a result, they keep to themselves due to shyness in the presence of those who speak Standard English (Martin, 2012).
Research on the article by Barbara Mellix shows that, many learning institutions teach the national language. The national language in America is the proper English, and it is common in all contexts of communication. For the blacks, it means that they have to acquire knowledge in reading and writing, and then learn to speak a language different from their home language. As a result, they have to forget the language of their background. Since there is a link between language and identity, adoption of the proper English weakens the social identity created in their homes. In many schools where the Blacks are the majority, many teachers use the black English to teach the proper English. This makes it difficult for students to learn the proper English. Therefore, there is a continued use of the Black English, and it is a limiting factor to find jobs in the main employment sectors,…
References
Borland, H. (2005). Heritage Languages and Community Identity Building: The Case of a Language of Lesser Status. International Journal Of Bilingual Education & Bilingualism, 8(2/3), 109-123.
Cortina, R. (2010). Empowering Indigenous Languages and Cultures. European Education, 42(3), 53-67. doi:10.2753/EUE1056-4934420303
Martin, B. (2012). Coloured language: identity perception of children in bilingual programmes. Language Awareness, 21(1/2), 33-56. doi:10.1080/09658416.2011.639888
UEMATSU, A. (2010). The Role of Ethnic Identity in Cross-cultural Environment: Relationship between Group Identity and Ego Identity. (English). Japanese Journal Of Personality, 19(1), 25-37.
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