Language, Identity and Cultural Difference - Essay Example

Language, Identity and Cultural Difference Name: Institution: Date: Language, Identity and Cultural Difference The interrelationship that exists between language, identity, and cultural differences continues to be a major concern. Many cultural researchers and social theorists continue to conduct a series of research to find out much information about the relationship that exists. Language, identity and cultural differences have an influence on each other, and thus they are closely related. Stuart Hall is one of the social theorists who has examined this relationship between language, identity, and cultural differences. Human beings cannot experience a proper existence without the aspects of language, identity and cultural diversity in their lives. Every culture in the society is characterized by a distinct people who use different language for their communication. The different language that exists provides people with different cultural experiences that give them a unique identity. This relationship is widely advanced by Stuart Hall in several articles and other works that he has established in the past. This research paper seeks to discuss Hall's work on language, identity, and culture. It gives a brief description of the meanings of culture, language, and identity. Secondly, it describes the relationship that exists between language, identity, and cultural differences. Thirdly, the work explains the notion of understanding by Hall to describe the personal experiences to provide an illustration of the relationship between language, identity, and cultural differences. The notion of cultural difference and language is explained on the basis of personal, professional experiences. The work provides a detailed support of the relationship through various works established by Stuart Hall. Finally, it discusses how the works of Stuart helps in the interpretation of the personal events that show the connection between language, identity, and cultural differences. Cross-cultural communication is very significant to human beings. However, this can never be achieved without understanding the relationship that exists between language, identity, and cultural difference. For an easy understanding of the relationship, the three concepts must be well understood. Hall defines language in a simple manner. He says that language is the medium through we which we ascertain or "make sense" of things within our reach (Meeks & Hall, 2007). We use language to produce and exchange meaning of various things. The manner in which language generates meaning remains the focus of Hall. He describes language to be a representational system. It uses symbols, signs that include written words, sounds, images produced electronically and objects to be a representation of ideas and concepts that people talk about. Therefore, through the representations, language results in meanings of various things (Gay & Hall, 2008). It produces meanings which are produced and then circulated across various cultural systems of different societies. Language exists in different modes and has no restrictions of being either oral or written form only. It implies that language is not a property of the sender or receiver of the meanings. It is a reflection of the cultural space that is shared by various people. The production of meaning through language takes place within the cultural space (Meeks & Hall, 2007). To understand identity, we must have an inbuilt meaning of culture. It relates to cultural identity and differences that are being examined in this paper. Traditionally, Stuart says that culture refers to greatest achievements that have been attained by humanity. It is expressed as either popular culture or high culture. Anthropologically, culture refers to the way people of various societies live their lives through their shared values. Hall utilizes culture in a more specific sense. Culture has to do with the social processes or practices that result in creation and communication of meaning. The primary concern of culture is to aid in the production and exchange of meanings. This is done by members of a given society. Culture is a representation of the practices, languages and customs of the society (Kramsch, 2011). Cultural identity and differences are defined by the concept of culture. Hall says that identity can be explained through two approaches. The essentialist approach views cultural identity in terms of the shared cultural practices in different communities. Identity is known to be unchanging and stable. It is impossible for an individual to change his or her cultural identity (Kramsch, 2011). He uses an example of the caribbeannes to explain cultural identity. The second notion gives recognition to the discontinuities that have existed before to define cultural identity. Cultural identity is a matter that transforms individuals into being distinct beings of the society. It is a matter of ‘becoming' as well as of ‘being.' (Meeks & Hall, 2007). It is a belonging of the future as well as of the past. Cultural identity is a reflection of a true self. Cultural differences among people arise from the cultural identities that are established in different communities. The differences give a reflection of why people of various communities operate differently. Relationship between Language, Identity and Cultural Differences From the definitions of each concept, it is evident that there is a close relationship that exists between language, identity, and cultural differences. The interrelationship of language, identity, and cultural differences can be comprehended through the analysis of each of the two concepts. Either of the concepts has a direct relationship with one another. There is a close link between language and cultural differences. According to Hall, language is a tool that produces ‘shared meanings.' (Meeks & Hall, 2007) Therefore, cultural differences that exist in different societies are generated from the notion of production of shared meanings that are produced by language. Sharing of meanings reinforces the idea of cultural differences. Two people who belong to the same culture mean that they have similar interpretations of things. They look at the world from a similar perspective and generate the same meaning. They express their thoughts and feelings in ways that both of them understand. Cultural difference is embodied by language (Gay & Hall, 2008). Hall argues that language refers to a practice that signifies the cultural differences that exist among people. He says that ‘it is a symbolic practice which gives meaning or expression to the idea of belonging to a national culture.' Secondly, it is the cultural contexts that give meanings to things. Something cannot generate meaning by itself but must be driven by certain forces. He uses an example of stone to offer clarification (Meeks & Hall, 2007). It can refer to a stone literally, art, a market, and many more meanings. However, it is the representation of the objects that provide their true meaning. The representation of objects involves the cultural practices that ‘carry the meaning and value for us, which need to be meaningfully interpreted by others, or which depend on meaning for their effective operation.' Shared cultures may also have some influence on language. Language may undergo renewal as a result of the shared cultures sin societies (Kramsch, 2011). The different expressions of people produce meanings. It implies that there is a distinct and direct relationship. Language is one of the elements or factors that determine the diverse cultures that exist among people of various communities. There is a direct interaction between language and identity. Hall says that language can develop or construct the identity of people. Language constitutes to meaning. It means that gives people the sense of their identity (Kramsch, 2011). Meaning defines who we are and also to whom we belong. The language used by a person reveals something about his or her personal identity (Kramsch, 2011). For instance, the use of body language that is non-linguistic on the face of a person reveals his or her personal identity (Kramsch, 2011). The language used in the community that an individual belongs to signify the cultural identity. Hall gives a reminder that meanings are generated through various forms of communication. This is inclusive of the advanced technology, mass media, narratives and much more (Meeks & Hall, 2007). Therefore, the meanings that are linguistically-generated aids in setting up of rules, conventions, and norms that govern the social life of people. Language is not a passive tool but rather an active one. It is useful in shaping the lives of people and society itself. Language, identity and cultural differences remain significant. Their interrelationship shapes the society determines how we see ourselves, our interactions with others and our conformity to the social rules and norms of the society (Woodward, 1997). Language may also change depending on different situations. This gives an individual a different identity which is by the ongoing situation. Language produces meanings that are exchanged in our social and personal interaction of everyday lives we undertake in to give us various kinds of identity (Kramsch, 2011). There is a close connection between identity and cultural differences. Cultural differences are responsible for the construction of different identities. Culture has the power to shape an individual. Individuals can also create themselves through culture. Hall argues that culture refers to things that are distinct and describes the ‘way of life' of life of people, social groups or of a country (Hall, 2001). Also, culture describes the ‘shared values' of a society or a group of people. Thus, the cultural differences play the function of distinguishing and helping people to preserve their group identity. Individuals who belong to one community and share a similar identity will exhibit or share the same culture. People who belong to the same culture have similar cultural codes (Woodward, 1997). Therefore, our cultural differences determine our identity in the society. Hall uses the notion of the cultural circuit to show the connection that exists between meaning, language, identity and cultural differences. Our cultural circuits give a reflection of the meanings that arise depending on the societal situations. It determines the construction of identity and cultural differences that exist in societies (Gay & Hall, 2008). Cultural circuit indicates that people must interact through language, their cultural differences, and identity. Language constructs a particular identity of people (Kramsch, 2011). It also provides a meaning of belonging to a particular culture and in the maintenance of the identity of a group of people. The recognition of the relationship between language, identity, and cultural difference is of great significance. Hall argues that we cannot have a clear understanding of the concepts without establishing a coherent relationship between them. For example, "language is the privileged medium in which we ‘make sense' of things, in which meaning is produced and exchanged." Thus, language is a channel through which we can acquire knowledge about ourselves and the social world (Morgan, 2011). So we understand culture based on how language enables us to construct meanings of things. This, in turn, reveals our cultural identities and differences. The notion of Representation Within the ‘circuit of culture,' identities are produced by representational systems. Language is described as a representational system. Representation entails symbolic systems and the signifying practices that help in the production of meanings and attain our position in the society characterized by various cultural practices and standards (Hall, 2001). The meanings produced by representations is a way though which we can make sense of who we are and our experiences. The symbolic representations may also create the possibilities of who we are likely to become in the future (Zou, 2012). The collective and individual identities are established through representation as a cultural process. The symbolic systems try to answer some questions that bother human beings. ? They include who we are?; what could we be?; whom do we want to be? and many other questions. Thus, representation is key in enabling human beings to find their right identification within the various cultures. The notion of representation has a close relationship with identity. The two cannot be separated in the ‘cultural circuit.' Meanings are constructed through language (Hall, 2001). Language operates as a representational system so as to produce meanings of things in the society. The language uses symbols and signs to give meanings in various cultural systems (Ryuko, 2004). Therefore, language uses representations, and this process is central to the manner through which meanings are produced. There are different cultures that have different ways of interpreting or representing things with intentions of constructing meanings. How we give meanings to things is dependent on how we represent them (Hall, 2001). Language works well through representations to provide meanings of things. In turn, it is the well-constructed meanings that give us our identity. The construction of meanings varies based on the daily interactions. It is also produced in the manner by which we present or organize ourselves. The meanings that are constructed through representations are significant in helping in the regulation and organization of people's conducts and practices. Members of the same culture share similar cultural concepts. They interpret the world in a slightly similar way. They share same cultural codes which give a reflection of their symbolic representation of their language and cultural identity. In this context, their thinking and feelings are their systems of representations. For them to communicate the same meanings to others, they must use the same linguistic codes. Language simply works through representations (Hall, 2001). That is why they are also called systems of representations. It uses elements, signs or symbols to stand for what is being communicated. They communicate to people about thoughts, ideas, concepts and feelings. The symbols used in language for communication constructs meanings and then transmit them. Stuart asserts that sounds are used in spoken languages, words are used in written languages, the musical language involves the use of notes on a scale, physical gestures are used in the language of the body, and items of clothing are used in the fashion industry (Hall, 2001). We may arrange our features to signify the language of facial expressions. There are various signs and symbols that are used as representational systems to communicate a particular concept (Hall, 2001). These symbols are used to construct meanings. Representational systems vary across various cultures. A symbol used to refer to something may not have a similar meaning in a different culture. Therefore, the symbols and signs used as a language for communication may have different cultural meanings. One body language may be interpreted differently by various people. This is because of the diverse culture that exists among people. It illustrates the cultural identities and differences that exist between people. This still indicates the relationship that exists between language, identity, and cultural differences. The sounds, symbols, elements, gestures, expressions, clothes and much more are used for the construction of meanings (Hall, 2001). The constructed meanings aid in communication between people of similar cultural systems. The symbols are the representations that result in meanings of things. We use signs to represent ideas that are then interpreted to ascertain the true meanings. Representation gives cultural identity and differences. Therefore, language is described as being a signifying practice. Thus, any representational system that functions in such a manner follows the principles of the representation through language. For instance, photography is known as a representational system that uses light images to communicate certain photographic meanings to people. Therefore, the production and circulation of the meaning of things are achieved culture and language. Stuart Mall gives his personal experience that describes his cultural identity while in the Diaspora. He seeks to offer an explanation of the relationship between cultural identity and representation. He speaks in the context of his position. As stated earlier, language, identity, and cultural differences vary depending on one's position in time. This is the same scenario that is explained by Stuart Hall. He gives his situation from an enunciated position. Each person has a particular history that gives a description of his language and cultural identity (Ming, 2002). He was brought up in a middle-class family in Jamaica. He says that cultural identity is a reflection of the people's shared cultural history. Images or symbols are used as representational symbols. Representation is also evident as at the times of Stuart Hall. The photographic works in Jamaica and those of Rastafarian artists is an example of continued power of the concept of cultural identity through representations. He describes cultural identity and representation based on the colonial experiences. A different view of cultural identity is presented. He talks of the Carribean's uniqueness. Justification/Support of the Connections/Reflections The connection that exists between language, identity, and cultural difference remains to be deeply rooted. People are defined by their way of living. Culture involves the way in which people live their lives. It varies from community to community. This results in the creation of different and distinct identities. Language is an element of a cultural system. Each cultural system is characterized by a unique language that leads to a unique identity. Despite the cultural diversities that exist in societies, there should be a well-established relationship of people of various communities. Everyone has the freedom to explore the uniqueness that exists in various cultural systems. Through this, we get to understand the cultural diversity that exists across various people. Culture is a complex element in our societies (Zou, 2012). It incorporates the practices, customs, values, norms that define our social and cultural space. It determines our cultural identity. The cultural identity is significant in the identification of one's sense. We express our cultures through language. Language enables us to communicate the beliefs, values and customs `that determine our cultural identity. Language plays a social function and fostering the cultural identity. It is fundamental to the identification of our culture. Our sense of self-identity is based on our cultural identity. The cultural identification is a way through which people freely express themselves. Stuart says that "language is central to the meaning of culture and cultural diversities." Culture is dependent on how the participants interpret things in their surroundings. Language, identity and cultural differences share a strong relationship. One cannot operate on its own. Culture is represented through the language that we use as a channel of communication. Language is viewed as both a means and a medium through which the world and people in it form knowledge about themselves. Language constructs culture and our identity (Kramsch & Whiteside, 2007). Language provides meaning to various things. Language, identity and cultural differences remain significant and closely related. Their interrelationship results in shaping the society, determining how we see ourselves, our interactions with others and our conformity to the social rules and norms of the society. It may also change depending on different situations. This gives an individual a different identity which is based on the current situation. Language produces meanings that are exchanged in our social and personal interaction of everyday hence giving us a unique self and cultural identity (Ming, 2002). It is also true that language is presented in various ways. Representation is one unique way through which people communicate. Representation is done in the form of symbols and signs to show some concepts or ideas of different cultural systems that exist. The language we use gives us a unique identity. For example, the manner in which I communicate with others gives me a distinct identity from the rest. The different identities based on varied languages are in turn responsible for the differences in our cultural environment. Therefore, language, identity, and cultural differences have a close interrelationship. In conclusion, Stuart Hall provides a detailed analysis of the concepts of language, identity, and cultural opinions. Language is the medium that forms the basis of communication within the various cultural systems. It is a representational system. Culture refers to the way in which people live their lives. It is mainly concerned with the production and consumption of meanings that is provided through representations. The various cultural identities lead to the existence of cultural differences. Language, identity and cultural difference are interrelated and cannot operate independently. The interconnection is well described through the ‘cultural circuit.' Stuart gives his opinions on the concepts; however, it does not mean that they do not have a critique. For example, he says that meanings of things are unstable and keep on changing yet there are societies or countries like China with cultural meanings that have never changed to date. Meanings have some degree of stability. Language, identity and cultural differences are closely interrelated. References Gay, P. D., & Hall, S. (2008). Questions of cultural identity. Los Angeles: SAGE. Hall, S. (2001). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. Enskede: TPB. Kramsch, C. J. (2011). Language and culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kramsch, C.J. & Whiteside, A. (2007). Three Fundamental Concepts in Second Language Acquisition and Their Relevance in Multilingual Contexts. The Modern Lnaguage Journal Meeks, B., & Hall, S. (2007). Culture, politics, race and diaspora: The thought of Stuart Hall. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers. Ming, F. H. (2002) A narrative inquiry of cross-cultural lives: Lives in Canada, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 34:3, 323-342, DOI: 10.1080/00220270110108178. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220270110108178 Morgan, B. (2011). Poststructuralism and Applied Lingusitics: Complementary Approaches to Identity and Culture in ELT. York University, Canada. Ryuko, .K. (2004) The Politics of Cultural Difference in Second Language Education, Critical Inquiry in Language Studies, 1:1, 21-39, DOI: 10.1207/s15427595cils0101_2 Woodward, K. (1997). Identity and Difference. SAGE Publications Zou, H. (2012). Language Identity and Cultural Difference. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity, vol2, No. 6. Read More