Language affecting self identity
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The document discusses the concept of self-identity, highlighting its dependence on language, which serves as both a symbol and tool for expressing one's identity. It examines the relationship between language and identity through different types of changes in self-confidence and values that language learners may experience, including additive, subtractive, productive, and split changes. Overall, the role of language is emphasized as crucial in shaping individual and group identity.
Language affecting self identity
- 1. Language As a Factor affecting Self Identity Understanding the Self
- 2. Self Identity • Self-identity is how you identify and define yourself. It is your perception of specific and selective traits, qualities, abilities, and characteristics that represent you. As an individual, you have numerous physical attributes, internal characteristics, social roles, and external connections which make up your personal identity.
- 3. Introduction • When we hear someone speak, we immediately make guesses about his/her gender, education level, age, profession and place of origin. It seems that there is a strong relationship between language and identity. Some scholars argue that language is one of the main features of one‟s identity. Furthermore, others claim that language is just one of the many instruments for expressing identity. • “There is such a strong relationship between language and identity that sometimes a single feature, such as an accent, is enough to show the identity of an individual.” - Tabouret-Keller (1998)
- 4. Definitions • “language is a central feature of human identity” : Spolsky (1999) • It can be understood that language here is regarded as a symbol of one’s identity. It is through language that one converts his/her ideas into verbal utterance and communicates with the surroundings. • “language is an identity-maker” : Starks (2005) • Language is considered a tool for expressing social attitudes of a group of people, not only at the individual level, but also at the group level.
- 5. Sociopsychological Identity Model (Goa et al. 2007) Self-confidence Split Productive Subtractive Additive
- 6. Self-confidence change • This type of change refers to change in level of the self-confidence of the learner by learning the new language. • This measurement relates to the psychological aspect of the learner.
- 7. Additive change • This change refers to the coexistence of two different sets of values in the mind of the learner. This happens when a learner can easily adapt when using his/her first or foreign language. It is regarded as an asset to the learner.
- 8. Subtractive change • This type of change refers to the replacement of the native values, behaviours and cultural norms of the first language by the foreign language. It occurs when the language learner feels that he/she is more powerful with the foreign language and more attached to it.
- 9. Productive change • This change refers to the appreciation of the native language values, behaviours and cultural norms after learning a foreign language. This is regarded as a positive reinforcement of the native language values due to learning a foreign language.
- 10. Split change • This type of change indicates a kind of conflict between the native identity and the foreign language identity. This type of change leads to a kind of struggle by the learner and can consequently be confused in many situations.