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How does the language we use affect who we are and how people perceive us?

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people who speak different languages may experience the world in unique ways because their language influences their thoughts. nikolai

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very interesting bryan this is very sophisticated. I like how you talked about you might percieve someone differently if they dont speak english very very scholarly of oyou

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Language can be used as a tool and/or a weapon. We see in all of the articles that language, specifically that of a native culture, can be used as a way to keep people outside of groups and hinder them from getting services they need. In my own life, my Uncle Raul is from Mexico, and struggles to speak English. As a result, he has a much harder time navigating the medical system, so when he is sick, he has to ask his wife (who can speak both English and Spanish) to come with him to the doctor's. Similar to Tan, he isn't taken seriously unless he has someone there to articulate what is going on, and that barrier is based entirely off of a language gap. While it is possible for people to interpret language in an informed manner, as is the goal of pamphlets like How to Detect Propaganda, that is not always the case. Taking the time to understand those on the other side of the language barrier can help to avoid these types of situations. Like any tool, language can be a weapon in the wrong hands. How we use that tool speaks volumes as to who we are.

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How does language we use reveal who we are and affect how others percieve us?

Primarily, the language we use often leads us to lose identity and not allow others to see the full picture of who we are, and what passions we hold; for example, as someone who is trilingual and has experienced multiple languages inside the house outside of my land's 'mothertongue' english, I know what it means when people treat me "lower intelliegence" or even as someone who can't 'think the same.' The language we uses nowadays reveals our iq, it reveals our worth, and ultimately reveals whether we are worth talking to or not; the effort of someone else to talk to you considering the language you use is huge. Additionally, as we saw in CENSUS and TAN, it's not just me that has experienced this. Census depicts that ages all around experience these types of situations and that people aren't able to freely express themselves due to this barrier that it holds; it makes us let go of something that we value and cherish: our heritage. As someone who had to change their first name to an americanzed and easier sounding name, automatically, I lose the part of me that digs into that culture and makes me unique.

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I agree that language is an integral part of our identity. I liked how you made a connection to your own experiences where you had to change your name to a more Americanized version. This highlights the discrepancy that occurs in language.

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Very great connection and use of quotes in a way that highlights the most important and related parts of the text!

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I like how you used a personal connection of how you had to change your name. This humanizes your argument and makes it more effective. It's also a good example of losing a part of your identity because of language.

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Language reflects the way in which we are perceived both through diction and dialect. Societal stereotypes have developed over time and have begun to objectively dictate the intelligence or capability of a person based on either their fluency in that area's primary language, how eloquent their word choice is in writing or conversation, or both. Although those originally from another area - whether they are newly learning English or have been for a time - may be extremely articulate in their native language, it is their proficiency in English and ability to engage in in-depth English conversation that dictates their roles in settings such as education, customer service, or employment. As society continues to progress and innovate itself, it is important to realize that knowing English well is not reflective of intelligence and competence, although it is a useful skill in this country for certain communication.

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I agree that language can be used as a tool to bring people together but at the same time, a weapon that could divide communities. I feel like language is a lot more powerful than people realize.

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The language we use affects how people are able to communicate and judge others, either negatively or positively. It's the people's perception that leads to a standard thought or manner of thinking. Such cases like language barriers exists, but going beyond that would be the unfair treatment which one could receive. I think it's important to consider how people's beliefs also influences the way language can be affected upon on another, resulting in how others perceive the people around them.

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The language we use create divisions and the differences within our society. For example, Amy Tan exemplifies the discrimination a non-native English speaker faces on a day to day basis. Her mother was ridiculed and judged due to the "broken" English she spoke. The language we use have the potential and can be a factor or reason for differences between others leading to a more fragmented community. In order to combat these perceived differences, we would have to be compassionate and considerate in the way we think about others or their situations. Having the ability to think outside of immediately judging others and to understand that there are things that are different. This would be able to bring together the fragmented community.

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In the society we currently live in, if the language spoken by the majority is not the same as an individual, they are treated poorly. In the article Tan, the mother is treated unfairly because of the language barrier. Her daughter has to communicate for her, just to get people to listen and actually do things. Because of the amount of non English speakers in the US currently, this problem continuously occurs. The stereo types are so heavy, which effect the way people view them. This negatively impacts so many peoples lives constantly, and hurts there chances of job opportunities or even simple things like doctors appointments (Mother Tongue). Because of the impacts from this, people try and adapt by doing things such as changing names that don't fit the US "standard."

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Language has depth within the words we speak. Every word, sentence, tone, we speak has a deeper meaning behind the surface. As many immigrants and cultures has found, with an accent, with a language, many barriers rise. Language has proven to harm ways of learning and living. As Amy Tan states, "Still, she said, the hospital did not apologize when they said they had lost the CAT scan and she had come for nothing. She

said they did not seem to have any sympathy when she told them she was anxious to know the exact

diagnosis..." The truth behind language is that unless you are perceived with perfect English and are granted the perfect American Dream, it's hard to succeed in majority of situations. Similarly, the US Census shows the increase in fluent English as citizens grow up. Yes, growing up in an English dominate country does help with the fluency of English, but it also depicts the same need for fluent English as Tan discussed. As citizens the honest truth is that to be taken as a serious adult and ensure one isn't taken advantage of, fluent English is almost a need. As How to Detect Propaganda discusses, there is a secret behind just language, a deception. This deception may seem sneaky in a governmental way, but as Tan and the US Census proves, this deception isn't such a bad thing when it's needed for a future.

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I like how you used a personal connection of how you had to change your name. This humanizes your argument and makes it more effective. It's also a good example of losing a part of your identity because of language.

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As we develop as a society; we as globalized individuals in a society have found ways to develop and transcend the status quo, time and time again, exemplifying that language can shapeshift through time and through place, based on the person who utilizes it. Likewise, in Tan's mother tongue, discussed the complexities of how language is influenced based on preconceived, and sometimes negative notions. Language transcends, and shapeshifts to work with or against a certain individual, it is why people feared those that have the opportunity to be educated and take control of their own initiative. A radical example, would be after the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, granting the enfranchisement of African Americans, and the abolition of slavery in the US, however, soon, there would be additional voting requirements, such as the poll tax or rigged language tests, to keep the institute and propagate an agenda, one of which is talked about in How to Detect Propaganda. So, as described, language is a tool, a way that for people to have the freedoms of choice, however, also a way to take away chances and choices from those not fortunate enough.

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I totally agree with your ideas and I think that even connects back to the wallace article; whether its waiting in line for groceries or listening to someone that doesn't have perfect english, choosing that as a reason to fully 'snap' can be harmful for others and for that reason, we need to be conscious of what language we use, as it shows others what type of person we are.

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I really appreciate that you brought up a dissenting voice about language's role in showing us who we are. That said, I wonder if we could use more specific anecdotes to highlight this point. I was really curious to hear about the times you referenced about people who spoke with an accent that was difficult to hear--where was that? What was the context? Providing more information, and how it connects to your last few sentences would be really interesting.

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Language itself reveals our origins and where we are from, as bits and peices embed themselves in to the way we speak. As mentioned within the article , How to detect Propoganda, its clear on how in every language, there are encrypted messages within them with various intentions when said. Only when we live within that society with that language for some amount of time, is when we truly see this however. Like that one time I went to India last summer. I was perfectly capable in speaking my language, Tamil, or so I thought. From the moment I went there, people were speaking multiple words at once, with different pronoucniation, tones, accents, making it impossible. My cousin was causually talking in tamil, and I translated it too take the bath tub outside, when he told me to go get food. The inconsisties within the language are not purposley made when the creator of that language created it, but develoepd and grown within our society. Trends within them are what shape the language around us. But not everyone studies this, but they only study the language itself, making it hard for them to fit in. In Census Beruea studies, we see this when the data showcases foreginers having trouble learning english and speaking it. Our culture compleltey transformed it, where different parts of our country have different ways to speak it. With this in mind, its clear on why immigrant or people from foreign countries have so much trouble learinng and fiting into their country. Their mother tounge influences any new language they learn from then on.

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Language plays a significant role in our culture. It can reveal where we grew up by the slang we use. However, it can also create barriers between people, leading to misconceptions based on how someone speaks. Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that individuals who speak slang or improper English are uneducated. This theme was also highlighted in Tan's article, "Mother Tongue," where she writes, People assumed that her mother was I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect. And I had plenty of empirical evidence to support me: the fact that people in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her” (Tan 8). Such experiences demonstrate that language is a crucial determinant of how people perceive us. These occasions can cause self-doubt and create negative feelings towards our culture and native tongue.

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The language we use reveals who we are because we are able to communicate in different ways but also affects HOW we can communicate with others. In Tan, she talks about how she realized she speaks in different ways depending on the person. For example, Tan uses a different type of English she uses with her mom than with someone else. "And I use all of them-- All the Englishes I grew up with." I completely relate to this as I am someone who can speak 2 languages and can be self-conscious as to my grandpa not being able to understand my English, but also how he speaks broken English as well. However, a person can be treated poorly and differently because of these language barriers. In our society, people tend to judge quickly, and with a simple language barrier or someone speaking with an accent, people may perceive them as a lower level of intelligence from not knowing a language. I think the language we use can be used as advantages, but it also creates barriers and difficulties within society.

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The language we use affects who we are and how people perceive us by limiting the depth of the connections between others by creating barriers, where people will not give the respect that is deserved. In Amy Tan's Mother Tongue, she has to pretend to be her mother on the phone because if her mother spoke her English, then the person on the other line would not take her as serious. This is also seen in the part of Mother Tongue where Tan's mother is not taken seriously in the hospital. This connects to the census, as it shows that there are many people in the US that speak another language other than English at home. Connecting to How to Detect, it talks about language that is used to manipulate and change other's opinions about something. The language used in propaganda is like the English Tan uses to make people take her mother seriously.

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The language we use definitely affect how people perceive each other. Personally, there has been instances when talking to people who have an accent or don't speak English at all. This leads to trouble communicating as well as me making assumptions about them. I might assume that English isn't their first language, that they aren't as intelligent, or that they won't understand our culture, sayings, jokes, etc. Looking at Mother Tongue, her mother was treated differently than her because of her accent. While this is wrong, it is an example of people perceiving people differently because of their language. However, I don't really think the language we use affects who we are. While it might change how we're treated either positively or negatively, I don't really think it changes who you are at a person. One connection that I saw between Census and Tan are that people of all ages and backgrounds experience this, not just people like me. Language is a significant tool used in everyday and how we use this tool can contribute to who we are as people.

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Great work; I like how you mention a general observation and include your sense of thinking that illustrates your opinion.

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I really enjoyed Bailey's response and find it quite sophisticated. it addresses societal roles and preconceived notions, as well as the feedback and discrimination certain ostracized groups receive.

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The language we use gives clues about our backgrounds and origins. Depending on the person we are talking to, this can affect their perception of us either positively or negatively. In Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue," she discusses how her mother was treated poorly by her doctor because of her limited English skills. This is a common experience for people who speak limited or simply different English, particularly those for whom English is a 2nd language. When the author herself, who speaks more American English, talked to that doctor, she was treated much better. This shows the differences in how 1st and 2nd generation immigrants are treated because of language, even those in the same family. The Census data reveals that people who are born in the US and speak another language (2nd generation), generally speak English with a higher degree of fluency than those born outside the US (first generation). This creates a generational discrepancy within immigrant families like Tan's in their experiences of how they are treated and interact with others.

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Language is part of who we are. It's how we express ourselves and it gives us a way to voice our thoughts and opinions. Language can come in many different forms though and due to societal standards it can either negatively or positively impact other people's views on us. I'm sure people have made stereotypical assumptions about my grandparents, who's first language was not English. Maybe they assume they are immigrants, or illegal, or that their words don't hold as much value as fluent English speakers. Not only are these assumptions harmful but they are wrong, my grandparents moved here in junior high, though it was difficult and the teachers barely paid them any mind, they worked twice as hard as anybody else to adjust to this foreign society. Despite what people may think, they can see your side glances and they can hear the empty sympathy in your voice. Language gives us a voice but it shouldn't take away others.

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I enjoyed the personal experience you used and your personal judgment on language. I think it made it easy to relate to your paragraph and this makes it a more effective argument.

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The language we use effects our experiences in life and effects the way people perceives us. In today's society people are treated different due to their ability to speak the language used by the majority. Like with Tan's mother as she descried in her article, her mother experienced discrimination because of the way she spoke English as it is described as "broken" it reveals both Tan's mother's background as someone whose first language isn't English but also how because of this she is discriminated against, and this is not only experienced by Tan's mother but many other people as well as seen in the US Census there are many many people in the US whose first language isn't English and also a lot of people whose ability to speak English is similar to Tan's mother or even worse. This shows how because of the way we use language causes people to judge and discriminate against without knowing who we truly are and if people are more compassionate and not judge people just because of their ability to speak a language their would be less discrimination against people and more compassion.

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I am perceived differently because i share a name with a human organ that sounds pretty funny. I am treated differently in public because whenever I need to call out to a family member i can't just yell "HEY DICK" or pronounce it loudly because everyone around me will look at me funny. That foul language affects who i am, but i still yell or spell out my last name in public places though because it defines who i am, and i want to let the world know that i am in fact a dick.

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I also thought that language can create barriers between people leading to misconceptions. In my paragraph I talked about how Tan's mother was not taken seriously in the hospital because of the English she spoke. I thought that this connected to your paragraph.

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Mya, this is a really sophisticated view of this. I completely agree with every point you made, and the how stereo types negatively effect the non english speakers. Good Job!

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I completely agree with the ideas you mentioned. I also believe that stereotypes are a huge problem that occurs in how someone speaks. The way one speaks should not determine what their education was like.

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I really like how you listed specific instances of how language is used as something to measure our intelligence and things like that. Your connections seem to be clear, I feel like you should go more in depth on explainign that and explain it to sound more connected

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The language we use has a significant impact on how others perceive us and is a reflection of our personality traits, values, beliefs, and attitudes. Our tone, pitch, and inflection can also affect how our message is interpreted. Using aggressive language or a raised voice can make us seem confrontational, while a calm and measured tone can convey confidence and authority. Additionally, language proficiency can also impact our ability to communicate effectively and be understood by others. As seen in Amy Tan's essay, her mother's experience of discrimination due to her "broken" English highlights the challenges faced by many who speak English as a second language or speak it imperfectly. This is a prevalent issue as revealed by the US Census data, which identifies a significant number of people in the US who struggle with English proficiency, much like Tan's mother.

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I really liked how you were able to bring in all 3 articles in your response and connected them to each other as well as connecting it back to the thesis.

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In a world where social interaction is important, language and communication is crucial. But when people speak different languages, the barriers between one another can thicken and drive people away from each other. Tan, How to Detect, and Census all seem to have an agreement that this seems to worsen when people in authority have power over your perception of another person/group. The powerful flow of words can be strategically used to manipulate your audience. Calling each other names, ignoring one another, and creating misleading information that only seems to increase the conflict. But the moment you choose to understand the "opposing side," you start to realize that you have more in common than you originally thought.

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the different languages we use can cause barriers between groups of people. Its hard to learn a new language, and people tend to form groups with people similar to them and exclude others who are considered different. From the graphs in the census article we can see how much diversity there is in American culture, but that diversity can turn negative very quickly. In the mother tongue article, since she was an immigrant she didn't understand the language or culture of America. Instead of trying to include her, people pushed her away until she was forced to change her culture, which causes a barrier. She has conflicting pressures from internal and external forces pushing her to fit in, which has many negative impacts. On top of that, in the propganda article we can see how lnaguage has impacts on beliefs, but rather using that language to help people form beliefs they are used to force people to think a certain way causing more barriers.

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Language is a form of identity; the language we use enables other people to develop a better understanding of who we are. In society, language has gone beyond the scope of communication; it is not used as an indicator of different qualities, such as intelligence. As demonstrated in the "How to Detect Propaganda" article, language can be manipulated to convey certain messages or influence opinions. The subtle nuances in language can shape how information is interpreted and can even sway individuals' beliefs and attitudes. However, these interpretations can sometimes lead to discrepancies in understanding, especially when there are language barriers. For instance, I often notice a language barrier between my grandmother and I. She is not familiar with common day phrases or expressions, which can lead to misunderstandings during our conversations. This struggle to effectively communicate due to differences in language proficiency echoes the challenges faced by the daughter in the "Tan" article. Here, the daughter had to speak for her mother on the phone to reduce the risk of misunderstandings occurring. These examples highlight how language proficiency can shape not only our ability to express ourselves but also how we are perceived by others. It underscores the importance of clear and effective communication in bridging divides and fostering mutual understanding.

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The language we use is who we are. So it is not that it affects us, it actually affects others, and how they perceive us because of how we speak or write. Amy Tan being able to move between "broken" and "correct" English in her essay "Mother Tongue" reflects her identity as an Asian American daughter of a Chinese immigrant, someone whose language of the family is "all the English's". Whether or not you use language to speak truthfully also shows who you are, and helps people perceive you as trustworthy, or not. In the "How to detect propaganda" article, it says that the reason propaganda works is "we don't recognize it when we see it", and that's because those who are truthful would never use the tricks of propaganda, so do not think that others would lie. However, if we can learn to recognize propaganda, when we realize someone is using a propaganda device, that shows who they are which is someone dishonest who would use language to mislead.

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Great job tying together all 3 sources. I agree that language can limit connections between people and also think that it can create connections and break down barriers as well.

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You've done a really thorough job of highlighting the importance of language and answering the prompt with creativity. Your reference to Amy Tan's essay "Mother Tongue" was relevant and a clear example of how language can reflect our identity and experiences. I appreciate how you stress the importance of using language to speak truthfully using playful words. Also, you're ending really tied everything together, good job.

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The language we use affects who we are as the language we chose to use can affect who we become. People can perceive us in different ways depending on our experiences with language and the culture we have regarding who we are. Language itself can be our identity. Specifically in Tan, the author talks about how both her mother's broken English and her English are a big part of her. A personal experience are through my grandparents, they are from Sri Lanka. While they understand english for the most part and speak it well, they still use a different type of english, a mix between Sinhalese and English. When I talk to them I use this too. As there are barriers between us, how we use language overall can benefit us significantly if used correctly. Through my history of language from English to Sinhalese, they are a big part of who I am, and the language intertwined between both affect me positively. Overall, the language we use can show our true selves and depending on the type of person can perceive us positively and applaud us for it.

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Brooke, I found your response really insightful. I totally agree with you, the language we use definitely can affect others more than ourselves. That is why we need to be clear of stereotypes and use it correctly and beneficially to help others learn and grow through culture.