Does Language Define Us?

Cultural Ramifications of an English-speaking World

How can we define what makes a cultural identity unique? Language has historically been an aspect of cultural identity. The language we speak can indicate and reveal a lot of information about our country of origin. As the world moves towards an English speaking homogeny, where does that leave language as a means of identity?

I recently returned home from a trip to Iceland. Not too long ago, when I was a teenager, I would travel abroad and immediately be identified as American, Australian or British, simply because I spoke English. While in Iceland this past weekend, I noticed that speaking English no longer defines my country of origin. Speaking English only revealed that I was not Icelandic. Foreign travelers can wear their culture with pride, acting as ambassadors of their homeland while they speak their language. But strolling through downtown Reykjavik and speaking English was not enough for me to express my culture. No one knew if I was American, French, Italian, or South African.

Near me on my flight to Iceland, an Asian-American man spoke perfect English to a flight attendant and was asked what part of Asia he was from. It was clear to me by his speech that he was American. He looked stunned and responded by asking, “Can’t you tell that I’m American? I am speaking English!”

This past year I taught English as a Second Language to adult learners from all over the world. For them it was not an extra-curricular activity, but rather a requirement. As the world struggles to learn English as a second language, we can see them struggle with the pros and cons of making this language shift. But what are the ramifications for those of us who already speak English as our native tongue? Most of the world thinks we have it easy. We are not asked to forfeit our own language, or be forced to accept the inevitability of acquiring second language skills.