Language And Social Identity

The use of language and identity are conceived as two different concepts that fall under the common roof of socio-culture. Much like the older days, our language is based on and shaped by our historical background and socio-political contexts. Until this day, the way we speak is quite similar to the way our ancestors spoke, for the simple reason that is we initiate from the same natal country or share the same culture. These findings pushed scientists to conduct further research in order to understand the real connection between language, identity and culture, which we will be investigating in the following blog.

Language and Social Identity Whenever we speak, a part of our social history as individuals shines through the language we use.

The use of our language has been built by our culture while it has also affected it. However, our personal impact on our societies varies in terms of individual effort. The way we act in certain situations is to large extent influenced by our social identities. Where we stand in our communities is essential to understand the way we interact with others using our language. Our linguistic skills shape our identities as well as they are affected and mildly constructed by them. It is also important to keep in mind that wherever we stand in a situation, our social backgrounds and acquired linguistic skills both shine through and vary from one situation to another. Thus, our social position is highly related to, yet not shaped by our actions. Our actions, our language and our ways of communicating cannot be generalized because our behavior highly depends on the situation that we are

The use of language and the ways in which we communicate are affected by many factors that surround us. Our language comes from our daily adventures and life experiences. From our activities and movement, we tend to accommodate to certain behavior, having these behaviors shape our identities. We learn from our surroundings, and whether we like it or not, whether we are aware of it or not, the surrounding behavior and language that we learn from often get to us and eventually shape a part of us. The people that we are, the characteristics that we are born with, are often changed or maybe kept, but other behaviors are added to them, behaviors that are found around us. Our identities are ever-changing; they rise from our cultural backgrounds, our ancestors and our histories. Modern behavior finds its way to fit in with our behavior, and finally our identities take pieces of other people’s identities and languages, and eventually incorporate them in ours. When we are enriched, our language is richer with us, we add to our culture. As people, it is impossible to have language, the concept of words and expressions, without linking these to any sort of culture. Language, just like any individual or human being, rises from somewhere. Individuals carry language wherever they go; they learn to construct and maintain language, while they are in