Have you every been asked the question where are you from ? In some situations it seems as if the question is an insult to a person’s race. The question however , can have some positive effects in certain situations like when meeting someone for the first time . In the essay What You’re Really Asking When You Ask ‘ Where Are You From ?” by Tanvi Misra, she uses the social media mediums such as Twitter and Facebook to ask the general public what their response would be to the question. When people move they often lose their sense of home however they may find a place in a foreigner land that they may call home to them even though it is not their real home .To some …show more content…
In the essay Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, he explains how he took french class in Paris . Sedaris starts to embrace the french culture when he mentions “That be common for I, also , but be more strong ,you. Much work and someday you talk pretty .People start to love you soon . Maybe tomorrow, okay.’”( Sedaris 14). When Sedaris try to learn french he is actually embracing the French culture . When people embrace a different culture they have the ability of seeing the entire culture in their own eyes with first hand experiences. Also embracing another culture is a positive use of the question because it prompts mutual respect . Another example that supports this is shown when he mentions “The world opened up, and it was with great joy that I responded, “I know the thing that you speak exact now. Talk me more, you, plus, please, plus”( Sedaris 15). When a person is fully integrated into a new culture they can truly see the value of that culture. Also when people learn about a foreign culture it allows them to be open to the different views of the people living around the world . Through embracing a new culture people learn how to coexist with each …show more content…
In the essay Take the F by Ian Frazier , he explains how he takes the train into New York City and notices the different races of people that live in neighborhoods along the F train’s route . An example from the text that supports this is shown when he mentions “ On the F , I sometimes see large women in straw hats reading a newspaper called the Caribbean Sunrise, and Orthodox Jews bent over Talmudic texts … groups of teenagers wearing identical red bandanas with identical red plastic baby pacifiers in the corner of their mouths .., young men with the silhouettes of the Manhattan skyline razored into their short side hair from one temple around to the other ( Frazier 96-97) . This quote explains what type of people the author sees when he takes the F train into New York City . Each of these people at one time was a foreigner to this country and eventually they were able to find a home in a foreign land . By finding a home in a foreign land the people are able to see the value of their home them and its effects in the culture Another example that supports this is mentioned when Frazier says “ I have spend days,weeks on the F train . The trip from Seventh Street to the midtown Manhattan is long enough so that every ride can
where the author wants to become proficient in speaking French. He studies language instructions only to end up being embarrassed by the teacher. This results to him being more culturally confused. David Sedaris finds humor in situations that are humiliating.
David Sedaris administers a hyperbole to signify his frustration on learning the French language. On his first day of class in France David Sedaris exclaims, “The first day of class was nerve-racking because I knew I’d be expected to perform. That’s the way they do it here- it’s everybody into the language pool, sink or swim” (Sedaris 167). David exaggerating the communication of French as a “performance” indicates his belief that speaking French is an art form rather than something that can be acquired. His intimidation and fear insinuate his deficiency to apprehend French as a language. David’s comprehension of being articulate in French is minimal; His reference to a “performance” entails his insight of being fluent and cogent are variant to the
Sedaris’s inability to speak the language is also subtly hinted in Genetic Engineering where we are shown the distance between his world and his father’s world. His father, an engineer, speaks the language via a technical lense, while Sedaris does not. This irreconcilable difference led to the situation where Sedaris “tried to creep by unnoticed” (36) which goes show how disconnect in communication led to avoidance or social isolation. A similar event also occurs in Go Carolina when Sedaris mentions that his fellow speech therapy classmate “were all a little quieter” after realizing the “problem” with how they speak (12). In Jesus Shave, the language barrier became the main obstacle for Sedaris to convey his beliefs to someone different from him. This not only shows his inability to connect with others around him due to language but how it leads to conflict with his teacher in accepting French culture. Ultimately, it is impossible for an individual to have a sense of belonging or connection with others if he or she does not speak the language as it is one form of identity that is communicable to
David Sedaris, an American author from New York, in his piece “Me Talk Pretty One Day” uses humor and exaggeration to explore what it means to learn a foreign language. His piece transports us to a French course in France taught by a draconian woman. Sedaris uses many devices, particularly anti-climax and hyperbole to hook the reader to his storyline while also conveying his cardinal message. His carefully chosen literary devices effectively teach us about persistence and challenging our comfort zones through his traumatic and often humorous horror stories of being yelled at, and verbally abused by the “wild animal.”
In the novel, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Sedaris has used various literary terms which followed the use of a clear tone. This is clearly depicted with the author’s choice of words, as well as, figurative language. This demonstrates the author’s talent for casually laying out the absurdities of his daily experiences. In the novel, Sedaris has used a depressed tone. He explains how he is depressed by the French instructor. He explains that he is not alone to be belittled, but others also experience a similar attitude from the teacher, during the time they spent in class (Sedaris 13). He explains that the instructor wanted to put everyone down. For instance, he understood only half of what the teacher said, and that the first day that she was in class was very depressing (11). Sedaris also narrates that when the teacher asked that ‘has every one apzkiubjxow, it was very startling because he had not been asked the question for a while and realized that she did not understand the alphabet (11). The author states that the teacher always asked that ‘were you always this palicmkresis (15). It is clear that Sedaris employs nonsense letter arrangements, in order to replace the words that he could not understand (Sedaris 15). Through this, he relates his feelings with what the teacher said and this created pity for him and a mutual understanding (Sedaris 15). This demonstrates a depressed tone.
What makes this essay stand out from others is Sedaris is extremely effective in conveying how hard it is to learn a new language through his use of humor, his clever word choice and his ability to connect with his audience. He took something as simple as learning a language and turned it into a tale that people can't help but smile at.
In conclusion, this book gave me a whole new view on life and how we can interact better with different people. The book emphasized that culture is key to understanding people. Sometimes it is hard to connect with others because they are indicated as different but in due time we can adjust. Every culture has their own traditions when it comes to what they eat, what to wear, dating, various ceremonies, holidays and more. Reading this book helped me become more accepting of who I am and where I come from.
...inferior cultures are always able to adapt and learn things from larger groups, in contact zone environments the larger groups are finally able to draw things from the smaller cultures as well, and thus transculturation becomes a two-way street. Only when people are made aware of the marginal diversity that surrounds them in everyday life are they able to gain a wider understanding and deeper knowledge of the world around them. They are then able to apply that knowledge to shape and benefit the way they interact with others and operate as a part of a society that is more open, leaving behind the mistake of imagined communities and applying inaccurate definitions to groups of people.
...elopment of diverse understanding through my life. I found that The further you explore and understand your own culture, you will be better prepared to face counseling issues in other cultures while avoiding possible pitfalls like bias.
in the short stories i read by By David Sedaris, tim o biran, Sherman Alexie,Naomi Shibab i would have to say my favorite would have to be david sedaris and close second tim o biran over sherman alexie. i would like to start with Me Talk Pretty one day by David Sedaris i liked his form of story telling one as if he was telling it to a friend no mindeless wondering to the abiss stuff. david was straight to the point with his story he was also great with depictureing the teachers personality as a monster one would feel sorry for him and his classmates. what david did great was his use of humor in the story at one point he used one would cover their sthomic when the teacher would walk by not because she would hit them but on how she bilittled
Consequently, the diverse ethnicity of the inhabitants meant I was frequently asked where I was from, something I wasn't accustomed to. I don't know if it was a chat-up line as predominately men would enquire, but if it was I wished they'd chosen another subject. Asking where my parents came from was a dialogue that, quite frankly, I didn't enjoy. I won't be shy about the fact that I wasn't proud to be genetically Iranian. I could think of better places to say I was from, and so I did....
It is important to come to the mindset of learning of the different cultures, and hold onto the humanity of treating others how one would want to be
At some point in our lives we experience a culture as an outsider by moving from one culture to another.In the world today there are so many different cultures and not one of them is found to be the same.Instead they all have something that makes them unique, whether its language or even the clothes they wear and their behavior as well.The differences they have is what separates them from one another and who ever joins that particular culture must get accustomed to their way of life.In the society today we have many people immigrating to the United States to start a new and better life but what they soon begin to realize is that it’s a whole new world out there and in order to survive they have to get accustomed to the new way of life which is much different from their lives before.
...al to have an open mind to be able to gain insight toward learning new information and to gain new perspectives toward the other culture. Every group of people or country has their own issues that can impact its cultural beliefs, values, and attitudes. If a person has not had to face oppression, understanding how to relate to another person can be challenging. A person’s positions will impact his or her interests toward resolving issues. The expectations about others will affect everyday relationships. We all make mistakes, but minimizing conclusions and stereotypes will help to gain the trust of the other person.
“Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends (Robot check).” A place becomes a home for me when I am around all the things that I enjoy and love. For example, when I am around everyone that I love, I enjoy a peaceful environment and the beautiful landscapes around me. The interpretation of home for me is not a physical thing that I see or that I can remember or even certain thoughts that I can relate, but it is a sensation that overcomes me when I envision being in the comfort of my own home. However, I know that this is a feeling that is calming to my soul and it quietly reassures me that I genuinely belong in a place where I can be free from people constantly judging me.