Does language define who we are..?

Language can shape our identities in different ways. Our identity is composed of several different traits making up who we are. We are defined by our behavior, personality and thoughts but taking up a new language can help you understand cultures, language barriers and new views. This aids into our knowledge about the world, therefore being able to slightly shape different aspects of our identities. The article ‘Why Do writers Abandon Their Native Language?’ written published on economist.com, March 14th earlier this year, provides several examples of writers who explore new languages that help them shape their identity.

In 2012, an English speaking author called Jhumpa Lahiri moved to Italy in order to immerse herself in a new culture and language. Part of her identity was being an English speaking author who wrote in English, but now that she has learned Italian and prefers it some are questioning as why she’d do something so dangerous for her career. She clearly expresses that learning a new language has opened up a new perspective, it is now a language she is comfortable in being able to produce content with variety. Not only does she have the skill to fluently speak another language, but that language is now part of her identity which in turn aids to who she is.

The article notes that she is not the only writer to abandon her mother tongue in hopes for a new perspective on literature, claiming that “there is a tradition of writers trying to escape their language and render their art in a foreign tongue.” and that writers have found new, artistic ways in being able to do so. Two writers say that with the new language, they feel they have more freedom in their writing and expression as there are less boundaries. These artists are curious and experimental, that is who they are. Learning the a language adds excitement for them and their work because it is entirely new, it is a foreign tongue that they’ve decided they wanted to master to gain skill and perspective with their literature.

Your identity is just one part of who you are as a person as, and again, identity is composed of a variety of traits and aspects. Some traits include the ability to speak a language, write in another language or use language in a way that expresses yourself. Another part of your identity is how you use words, too. The vocabulary you use and tone of voice is part of what makes you a unique person, but not necessarily defining who you are. Language is able to shape and change those aspects of your identity, though what makes you and what defines you? When it really comes down to it, you as a person are much more than the language you speak or what casual words you use, but it's more about how you are personality-wise. Being ambitious, seeking creativity and working towards something are traits which can be used to define someone as who they are