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Translucent Jade And Mother Analysis

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Language plays a pivotal role in both shaping and reflecting a sense of identity for individuals and cultural groups, as well as challenging our perception of the Australian community. Through the use of language, poets are able to express their experience as an immigrant conforming to a foreign society. Ouyang Yu’s ‘ New Accents’, Maureen Ten’s Translucent Jade and Mother by Vuong Pham collectively depict the power of language in the relation of culture and identity. My name is Alex and I’m here to discuss the influence of these poems on how they manipulate language to mirror both personal and collective identities through their cultural transition. POEM 1 The poem “ New Accents “ by Ouyang Yu delves into the idea of conformity and the challenges …show more content…

The poem begins with, “My grandfather gave me a gift”, metaphorizing the name that was bestowed upon her while emphasising the importance of her cultural name and individual identity. Ten is faced with an identity crisis, as “my mother’s flashed in view,”, suggesting the adoption of another name, “Common in its place of origin. her gift sparkled and sang,”. The negative connotation associated with “common” showcases her perspective on her new identity as a result of Ten’s immigration into Australia, as if it was basic or inferior, contrasting the two identities she possesses. This as well refers to the collective identity of other refugees and immigrants who adjust into Australian culture, creating the cultural tension in an individual to understand or belong to one. Chinese culture and Australian culture differ in many aspects, as when Ten adjusts to the latter, the former appears foreign, being forgotten through time, exemplified in her rhetorical question, “do I belong here?”. Ten explores these ideas by using language techniques to reflect how the migration towards Australia has affected her individual identity through her cultural belonging, being a part of the collective experience of many other

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