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Essay / Cultural Identity and the Importance of Preserving Culture
Table of ContentsIntroductionHow to Preserve My Culture (Essay)ConclusionIntroductionIn our country today, we recognize the importance of preserving culture, which will be discussed in this essay. As we are a culturally diverse nation, our society is a beautiful blend of African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, and Native American cultures. However, with the intrusion of the Western world, there has been a constant struggle between our traditional upbringing and forced assimilation into their society. As a result, these various cultures adapt or resort to the so-called mother tongue of the country, namely English. Unfortunately, this caused individuals to lose their sense of culture, leaving them unable to represent their own species in the country. Additionally, in some workplaces, the use of a foreign language is strictly prohibited, resulting in discrimination against non-native English speakers. The loss of the mother tongue not only leads to the loss of identity of individuals, but also deprives them of the ability to communicate with their own people. Thus, speaking our mother tongue fluently is crucial as it enriches our cultural background, allows us to communicate with our own people and, most importantly, preserves our cultural heritage. It is a way to keep our culture alive and earn the respect of our own people. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay How to Preserve My Culture (essay) “Becoming American means adopting new values, defining a new self, and finding a new voice” (Kingston, 16) . As American citizens, we must change traditional aspects of our lives in order to adapt to the American way of life. As a result, we lose contact with our own culture, leaving behind everything we know about it. In my family, the responsibility of passing on our Filipino culture to future generations falls on the youth of our race. It is now that more and more teenagers are less interested in their native language, due to daily exposure to American life. From experience, I know that young adults who have no understanding of their language, such as Tagalog, Chinese, Japanese or Spanish, etc., are viewed differently and are almost separated from their own race. For example, in universities, a large proportion of students are Chinese. There is a division between this culture; There are fluent Chinese (those who speak and understand the language) and there are those called “A, B, C,” which means “American-born Chinese.” Not being able to speak our own mother tongue makes us silent and invisible to our own people. For American society, we can speak freely, but for our people, we have no voice. For most cultures, this is considered shameful. In June 1993, I returned to my hometown, Manila, Philippines, for a three-week vacation. It was probably the most trying experience of my life. When we arrived, I was introduced to several cousins I had never met before. As we greeted each other, I began with a “Hello, how are you?” My cousins would give me offensive looks and, truth be told, I wasn't immediately accepted. Because I could not speak our native language, or even know how to say “hello” in Tagalog, I was not recognized as a “real Filipino.” Every aunt and uncle I met kept asking me why I couldn't speak Tagalog, in a wayvery disappointing. I had difficulty communicating with many of my loved ones and I didn't understand what they were saying to me. I felt disappointed in myself. Because I received no respect, I just couldn't communicate and I couldn't relate to my own people. In an article titled "Cherokee Language Committee Holds Summit," from the periodical The Cherokee Advocate, he discusses the importance of preserving the native language. of the Cherokee tribe. “Throughout the years, the use of the Cherokee language has faded, causing us to lose a part of our culture. It is imperative that we initiate a plan to preserve the identity of the Cherokee people” (Cherokee Advocate , 21 years old). Many cultures in the United States struggle to maintain their language in use. They do not have the means to maintain their culture strong. The best place to start preserving (our language) is in communities” (Cherokee, 21). We cannot count on the existence of our cultures to continue if people do not accept them to ensure the initiative. sustainability of their language: “We cannot decree the preservation of the language. The people themselves must really want to preserve it” (Cherokee, 21 years old). foreign nationality are now trying to teach American values to their children. that the English language allows you to survive in this culturally diverse country. Language loss can generally be attributed to non-use and non-exposure. When you are not taught to speak your own native language, this will be even more the case. obsolete in the future. This is one of the reasons why I decided to learn my own language. This is a major asset for truly “being” Filipino, Chinese, Mexican, African, etc. I realize it now when we don't speak fluently. our language, we are stripped of our identity. On the other hand, being able to speak our mother tongue will allow us to obtain respect and recognition from our parents and our elders. My “Lola and Lolo” (grandmother and grandfather) were only fluent. in Tagalog, I regret that I never had the chance to bond or form a lasting relationship with them. Learning our own language shows that you have taken the time to learn and appreciate our culture. It also shows that we care and are curious about where we come from. Knowing your language is not only knowing how to speak it, it is also knowing your historical past. I know that from my experience, my parents would like me to know our family history very well, because it gives them the security that our culture will continue for generations to come. I think the main thing that worries our elders the most is the fear of losing our culture completely. That's why when they see it in their youth, they feel very proud. Speaking our native language has a lot to do with being able to communicate with our own people, but there is much more to it than that. It can also define our true identity. Not only does it allow us to relate to others, but it also allows us to discover who and what we are. Being Filipino, but also American, I am part of a generation struggling to find their identity. We must move through pain, joy, loneliness, and community to discover our own inner self that is unlike any other and move through that passage to the place where we see that all people are one, and thus perhaps seeing our lives in a better future. (Johnson, 127). Being able to speak and understand my own.