Language and the Shaping of our World

Introduction “Decolonizing the Mind” “Decolonizing the Mind” Loss of a heritage language Loss of a heritage language Like Mr. I.: Like Mr. I.: The world around us is redefined The world around us is redefined Unlike Mr. I: Unlike Mr. I: Not a positive adjustment Not a positive adjustment

Language and our World Language and social context Language and social context What language tells us about cultures What language tells us about cultures How language involves us in a culture How language involves us in a culture Mr. I. had to readapt to his new world Mr. I. had to readapt to his new world Psychological change, transformation of values Psychological change, transformation of values Thiong’o had a similar change Thiong’o had a similar change

Retaining a Heritage Language Is immigration different? Is immigration different? Mr. I. – Mr. I. – New vision helps him find a whole new world New vision helps him find a whole new world Zhou Zhou Native language = more success Native language = more success

Losing Heritage Language “You can’t go home again.” “You can’t go home again.” Mr. I. Mr. I. Color vision would be “grossly confusing” Color vision would be “grossly confusing” Hinton Hinton Inability to communicate Inability to communicate

Conclusion Loss of language = loss of culture Loss of language = loss of culture Retaining a native language Retaining a native language Losing a native language Losing a native language