Final Reflection Essay
This term was an eye-opening experience for me that language entails much more than the words people use. It influences the way people feel, learn, and comprehend the world. I figured a lot through writing my personal narrative “Fire Drill” and research essay on language loss. To me, these were a great way of knowing not only me but also the role of language in identity and communication. These papers provided me the opportunity to relate my own life experiences to the problems that the immigrant communities are facing in the world today.
One of the most pivotal points that I gathered over the semester is the fact that English language deficiency may cause fear and put one in an unsafe situation. Safety drill times always evoke bad memories for me and I could never forget the particular incident of the safety drill at school when I didn’t get the announcement as my English was poor, which I wrote in the essay “Fire Drill”. I mentioned that the loudspeaker voice “mumbled to me since I had a limited command of English.” I was the only one who was blabbering as in contrast to them, I was perplexed and stood still in fear. This opening situation made me see how language barriers can make people feel powerless in serious situations. It made me see that language accessibility is very important, especially during emergency situations.
Another huge takeaway point for me was the fact that a new language learning process requires a considerable amount of time, labor, and encouragement. In “Fire Drill,” I pointed out that I was very inclined towards reading daily because “it appears that every time I read, I learn new words and my English gets better step by step.” Even though my English wasn’t good at that time, I always did my best, which included writing down unfamiliar words and seeking teacher’s help. At the present time, I would say that my eagerness and willingness to make an attempt were the reasons for my progress. This exercise taught me that acquiring knowledge is not an instant thing but rather it demands patience and practice.
I also got the understanding through this course that loss of language skills is a very real problem that has detrimental effects on a person’s identity and feeling of belonging. In my research essay, I made the point that “language is not only a means of communication, but also how people relate to each other.” I found that immigrant families who gradually discontinue speaking their native language might lose a strong tie to their culture. This is related to my experience with my mother who told me that English is the language she uses to live. My research pointed out that a lot of parents see English as “the language of success” which makes them give it more importance than their heritage language. This revelation made me understand that when people lose their language, most of the time it is because they are pressured and not because they want to let go of their culture.
Another major point that I learned this semester is how to substantiate my claims with evidence. In my essay on language attrition, I have mentioned scholarly journals and drawn real-life examples to validate my points. I came to know that sound writing demands more than an author’s viewpoint; it requires evidence. My personal narrative was a demonstration to me that personal experiences are also legitimate evidence. The statement I made in my paper that “such moments could be difficult for people who have limited English command” was an example of me using my personal experience to shed light on the bigger issue that the people are numerous but unaware of.
Last but not least, I figured out the importance of heritage language maintenance with the intention of making an effort. As I declared in my research paper, “Spanish demands deliberate effort…if one is to keep the culture alive.” This made me understand that a native language can gradually vanish over generations if the household stops speaking it. This course was a great help to me in gaining an understanding of the concept of multilingualism and the need to show respect for all languages.
In conclusion, the term was instrumental in my development as a student and as a person. Through composing the “Fire Drill” and the research paper on language attrition, I discovered the effects of language on safety, identity, and belonging. These learning points will not only stay with me during this class but also change my perspective on the role of language in my life and in the world around me.
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