Maintaining Extending Identification for Bilingual Students Term Paper

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Introduction

Owing to contemporary trends such as globalization, refugee and migrant influx, increased social and geographical mobility, and global education dissemination, progressively more multilingual and multicultural settings have been emerging worldwide (Trisnawati, 2017). Such settings have led to the growth of bilingualism (and multilingualism) in population groups. Consequently, this research will address the subject of how bilingual persons (those who speak their native tongue, as well as the language, is spoken in the place they have migrated to) maintain their identity within multilingual/ multicultural contexts. Familiarity with their native tongue accords them a sense of pride and internal strength about their heritage.

Problem and its context

The chief topic of discussion in this research will be how multilingual or bilingual persons retain their ethnic/cultural identity within multilingual/multicultural contexts. Evidence to support the research will be collected from several related multilingual/multicultural contexts. But the specific context for the research is multicultural higher education institutions, focusing specifically on America, owing to its popular multilingual/multicultural institutions and constitutional rights and freedoms enjoyed by all individuals in the nation. But the key point here is, different educational institutions may have their distinct policies on multiculturalism/multilingualism.

Strategies to promote identification with and pride in native culture and language

i. Speaking their language

Language constitutes one of the key factors in bilingual identity maintenance. Giles and coworkers' (1977) study caused them to claim that one cultural unity and ethnic identity symbol was in-group speech, which is utilized to remind members of their cultural heritage, excluding out-group members from their internal dealings, and conveying group feelings. Considering the contribution of language to individual identity definition, it is, perhaps, easy to perceive oneself as an ethnic group member if one can speak their language if monolingual.

Imbens-Bailey's (1996) research work attempted to ascertain the importance of proficiency in the Armenian language on Armenian-American bilingual children. This research revealed that bilingual children felt closer to their native Armenian community as compared to their monolingual (English-speaking) counterparts. Moreover, the research reveals that for reinforcing ethnic identity, familiarity with one's native tongue helps. Likewise, a research effort on the part of Zhou and Bankston (1995) on New Orleans' Vietnamese first and second-generation youngsters suggested a robust linkage existed between ethnic identity and language, with the latter being a form of access to one's ethnic community.

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Here, retaining one's native tongue may be perceived in the form of a cultural resource (Phinney et al., 2001). But, language status may also end up impacting the attitudes of bilinguals towards their cultural identity in a community that regards one language as superior to another. For instance, study findings suggest that Lappish-speaking Sami refrain from using their native language in the presence of local Norwegians as Lappish is viewed as…

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…at least, some structure is the same (Schmidt, 2019). Concurrently, they can better embrace elements of their new culture. Usually, special occasions, certain events, and festivals offer the ideal avenue for familiarizing one's new friends with one's unique culture while embracing their culture. To students who are not well-aware of their cultural traditions, studying more about events, religious beliefs, and festivals is advised.

v. Sharing one's culture with one's new peers

Teaching peers about one's culture represents a good way of sharing what one loves and misses about home while helping peers understand one better. This may be achieved in several ways: taking friends out to eat at a diner that serves one's native cuisine; sharing homemade treats with them in class (Schmidt, 2019); talking about one's culture and the nation at school or the local club, and inviting friends home during a festival, or event, or just dinner. When questioned about one's home nation, one must share the things that make it unique and what one misses and loves most about it.

Conclusion

To sum up, language is considered a key factor in defining one's ethnic/cultural identity. Nevertheless, it isn't the sole factor in identity maintenance within multilingual/multicultural settings. External and internal peer and familial (i.e., social) sources are just as important in maintaining a strong cultural identity amid the blurring boundaries of multiethnic/multicultural identities. Among all suggestions, it is….....

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