As I introduced to language, power and society in lecturer and concepts of it such as the existence of reality I am drawn to the relation of language with identity. As I read through the text book about identity, otherization I have found how I have experienced same things as well.
“becoming self by defining other” Holliday, discussing that culture is something that individuals absorbing it from environment. Another example that is very interesting in terms of shaping identity is about the use of second language. “Language learning and Identity” Holliday, is discussing how individuals create a new language within the existing one in order to have an identity that does not match anyone else.
Often Supreme leader of Iran, uses a certain kind of language with very carefully chosen words to tell his ideas, although sometimes you can not tell if slang are used or they are simply lies, or over exaggeration, the language is so powerful among people that people are legit brainwashed to accept it. “Media and society” O’shaughnessy, Micheal and Jane Stadler. 2010 is discussing that language is mostly for understanding a culture and it is an instrument to reflect on us the reality which is constructed by the language of people. In the other hand, reality is socially constructed.”
Since I have left my country to Malaysia and after that Australia, I have realized Speaking in a second language can be affective on an individual’s identity and how an individual is defined in a new culture. If I do not speak in English I will never be able to communicate with people of Australia and make new friends. in addition as the people of same language share one culture and I will also learn the culture through speaking with them in their language. So on, I have learned some valuable cultural facts which changed my thoughts about many things such as mate selection or thinking about religion in the way I am believing in it. The same mechanism exist in Iran, if the Supreme leader changes the way he talks, people will lose their faith. So perhaps he must over exaggerate or shows his power more than what it is to say the absolute words?
Humans can often make mistake about the people’s true identity. Identity is defined by sharing a same culture through a language which is not mirroring reality. Fortunately nowadays with more advanced communications and globalization our societies are pushing people to a better understanding of reality and culture in which it has already affected many peoples in different terms and changed their idea such essentialism and non essentialism. but Unfortunately Iran is becoming less tolerant of social networking and tries to keep the atmosphere among people dead.