Language and Social Identity
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In the article titled "Language and Social Identity", the main idea talks about trying to maintain one's own language and social identity. At the beginning of the article it talks about how in colonial times a country's power could be measured by where they had planted their language. Then they relate that concept to present times where most countries do not embrace the languages or the cultures of the indigenous people that live there. The author makes reference to the Native Americans and how their languages and cultures were not accepted at all. They were considered savage because of their appearance and social practices.
The idea that the author tries to pound into the reader the most is how when kids get to go to public schools they are mainstreamed and taught the national language. The values of their own culture are not recognized. The author claims that keeping one's own language and culture is important and should be embraced by all parties involved. Unfortunately this is not the case. Most schools try to start out with the original language and then phase it out into the national language which to them is much more important...