Language Essay: The Power Of Language

The Power of Language “He said that if culture is a house, then language was the key to the front door; to all the rooms inside. Without it, he said, you ended up wayward, without a proper home, or a legitimate identity” (Khaled Hosseini). Language is the most intricate part of human communication; the very essence of who we are. Without it, we would not have any way of communicating with those around us. One should never forget that language is not just verbal, but rather, it is a physical as well. Body language sometimes speaks louder than words. Personal display of affection shows what love is even more so than words. Language is one of the most powerful tools we as humans have. It provides us with identity, diversity and culture. Every

Our unity is constituted in something higher than ourselves - in Man... For no man seeks to hear his own echo, or to find his reflection in the glass”. The connection he makes in his desire to unify with those around him is refreshing. He uses the word, “enrich”, which in general meaning is the act of making greater. To feel enlarged by the influx of diversity and culture has a positive implication on our lives. It creates opportunities that would otherwise be more difficult to attain. Language varies by culture; not foreign culture alone. Regardless where you live within United States, accents are easy to pick up on. In the northern states, we refer to carbonated drinks as, “pop”, whereas, in the south, irrespective of its flavor, it is referred to as, “coke”. Differences in everyday lifestyles are significantly noted between the east and west coasts. A much faster lifestyle is practiced on the east coast, whereas, on the west coast, a more laid back lifestyle is within normal practice. Dress codes speak their own language. Most all fashion shows held by designers are held in New York City. This is because the east coast is known to have a higher standard in dress code than any major city in the southern region of United States. Shopping malls are a good place to view this difference. Casual clothing is usual to see in the southern shopping malls, while business casual is a very common dress code on the east coast. Dress codes are a way of communicating a social standing. It is believed to be respectful and of good social standard to wear designer clothing. Whereas, it is financially feasible for many of us to wear every day brands such as, “Old Navy”, “H&M”, and “Levi”. What we wear is a language that is clearly understood amongst our social peers. Our appearance speaks volumes about who we are and what financial status we