Tok lang

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Languages are methods by which humans articulate in order communicate simple and complex ideas with others. This act of sharing knowledge, can mold the way in which an individual can shape their concept of self and the world by speaking other languages; however, the impact of languages is limited due to the impacts of others perspective's and cultural influence. Languages have the ability to create concepts of self and the world around through exposure. People use languages in order to build upon cultures and cultural identities that then are used to define themselves as well as how they view the world. Multiple languages allow speakers to process the information in different ways, this can either enforce the belief of the individual or shatter them. Ander was a young man from the Basque region of Spain that I came to know over the summer from an exchange programme from my Spanish class. Ander spoke three languages, his interpretation of himself and view of the world through his Basque heritage remained the same in Spanish and Basque, but when he spoke English in America this heritage was of little consequence and not even worth defending. However, the ways in which different languages shape in their speakers different concepts of themselves and the world is limited due to the impacts of others perspective's and cultural influence. Ander had pride in his language due to the strong personal connections he held with the culture and the strong cultural pride that is ingrained in Basque speakers. Ander possessed bias about the Basque region and its independence as he was Basque. The Americans lacked this bias and their cultural exposure to the area was weak so when they expressed perspectives to Ander about his culture, th... ... middle of paper ... ...es and how they shape their speakers different concepts of themselves and the world as it makes us aware of how people develop perspectives. Languages offer the opportunity to shape their perspectives and become aware of the potential gaps and differences in their understandings. To learn another language is to add another perspective, evolving the perspective the speaker held and allowing them to become aware of the biases and assumptions they held in their native tongue. Language is a unique way that humans communicate and it has evolved and branched into many languages around the world. Speaking multiple languages allows for speakers to mold the way in which an individual can shape their concept of self and the world by speaking other languages; however, the impact of languages can be limited due to the impacts of others perspective's and cultural influence.

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