Language In Richard Rodriguez's Public And Private Language

Languages is the key to communicate. Everyone learns language at the early stage on their life when their parents trying to transmit some simple vocabulary to them. Communicate means we can give and receive knowledge through language. I was born and raised in Malaysia, which means I have to learn at least 3 languages which are Chinese, Malay and English as well. I would say learning few languages was actually a difficult task to complete. Although it was hard at the beginning, I have also found the fun part of learning several languages which is having the ability to communicate in few languages.

The environment during my process of growing up has definitely influenced my language pattern. School is also a place where I have to use English and Chinese because there are different races of people in school. In my case, Chinese

“What they seem not recognize is that, as a socially disadvantaged child, in my case such bilingualism could not have been so quickly achieved. “He was quite frustrated when he made the transition to using English too just like I did.

When I first came to America and people doesn’t understand my accent at all I feel depressed ,then I realized I have to try my best like what Richard did which is try our best learning the proper English to gain public identity. When we are trying our best to adapt American culture, we also have to appreciate our own language and culture. This is where we need to find the balance between adapting foreign culture and appreciate our own culture.

The way I find the balance is I would still communicate with my friends and family in Malaysia by using “Skype”. We will share our life experience and talk about our day through the internet. It may seems small but its precious for me because it could have cure my homesickness and I can take a break from all those stress while adapting American