How Different Language Forms Create a Feeling of Belonging in a Community

Language is an integral part of how people in a community reinforce their solidarity to one other and according to most sociologists, is often the basis of any community. Through the use of language, each member of a community is able to express his or her identity, cultural heritage, background, and thoughts. The effects of language are so powerful as it is able to unify as well as diversify individuals in a community. When everyone in a community uses the same language and vocabulary, there is a sense of camaraderie. Yet, people can still feel excluded or unwanted in a community, especially in a place where there is xenophobia, such as in the United States. In the end, this essay explores how shared knowledge, slang, and jargon all create a feeling of belonging in a community amongst its individuals.

Furthermore, language contains some sort of shared knowledge in a community which helps its individuals to bond. For instance, everyone in a community, regardless of race, religion, or wealth is connected to one another by speaking the same language. This is very important for individuals within a community because even though we may all have our own opinions and outlooks on life, everyone is still able to be unified through language. Even though we might not recognize it, unconsciously we feel a sense of belonging in our community when we do our daily activities. For example, when we leave the house everyday to go to work and run errands, we are filled with billboards, people, and signs all spoken or written in English. Unconsciously, our body feels comfortable and welcome with the surroundings because of the familiarity of language. Contrarily, if one decides to enter a new, foreign city or neighborhood such as China Town, he or she might not feel welcome because everyone and everything either spoken or written is Mandarin.

It is common for all individuals entering a foreign community to feel like an outsider; however, this should not be a problem for anyone because we all have our own community which makes us feel at home while makes others feel excluded. For instance, immigrants, when entering a foreign country, sometimes can feel a sense of exclusion for months or even years until they are assimilated. Many immigrants also face discrimination and threats from existing natives who embrace the notion that having a language other than English is un-American and disloyal. For many Americans, English is equated with patriotism and is far more than just a language. Many Americans even deal with xenophobia, some overt and others not so much.

To capture the country’s xenophobic phenomenon, author, Nicole Guidotti-Hernandez, wrote an article in 2009 which contained comments from parents whose children had been watching the well-known children’s television show, Dora the Explorer. In the article, Hernandez quoted, “Dora used to be an ok show. Now I do not let my children watch it. There is too much Spanish speaking in it.” While another comment stated, “It’s bad that even our cartoon programs have gone so far as to teach our children Spanish as much as it has. I feel that if you live here you need to speak our language. If not leave”. The main purpose of Dora the Explorer is to teach Spanish to English-speaking children; yet, many American parents refuse to let their children watch the television show simply because they do not feel comfortable with the language. These American parents feel a sense of exclusion when listening to cartoon characters speak Spanish, so as a result they did not permit their children to watch the television show. This is an immature and improper way to handle the situation because parents should embrace learning and curiosity for their children rather than to abolish it. In addition, parents should encourage their children to learn a new language whenever an opportunity is given to them, such as in Dora the Explorer, so their children will not feel a sense of exclusion growing up in a society filled with diversity.

Moreover, the use of slang enables each member of a community to communicate their social identity and bond over common interests, knowledge, and culture. In today’s world, slang terms are often very fleeting and constantly evolving to adapt to each generation’s users. Hence, it can be very difficult for an older audience to comprehend. Especially when coalescence takes place, we are able to see how words such as, “gotta” and “waddup” make speech informal and ease conversation flow between speakers. Words such as “chillax” and “guestimate” also make the user seem creative and intelligent only until they become old-fashioned in society and are replaced by newer ones. Using these words in a community, can either make one feel welcome, through the familiarity of language, or excluded. In this case, most probably older people will feel excluded if people around them are speaking these words because they usually consider these words to be immature and unintelligent. While the younger generation will feel a sense of inclusion because these words are very trendy and common to use in this generation.

Furthermore, with dysphemisms becoming common in pop-culture, male adolescents are now using words such as “bitch” and “hoe” in lieu of the word “girl”. To some people, males use these terms because it is “cool” to demonstrate dominance over women; yet in reality, these words simply dehumanize and undermine women making them feel offense and sense of exclusion. It is quite clear that women will not feel welcome in this instance because they are not being treated with respect and dignity. Even in the school setting, there are children everyday who decide to close contact with a good friend once they realize they are not being treated with respect. An example of this can be in the children’s novel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. In the novel, the protagonist, Greg Heffley, is a social climber and stops treating his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, with respect and consideration once they both reach high school by making fun of him and putting him down. After Rowley does not feel a sense of belonging anymore with his lifelong friend, Greg, he decides to finally stand up for himself and end the friendship once and for all. The audience notices, once again, how language can either strengthen or in this case, weaken, friendship. In addition, the usage of jargon strengthens and defines a member’s belonging in a community. By containing special words and expressions used and recognized only by exclusive people, the outside audience does not share the same knowledge or interests as the community, which in turn establishes the community’s membership and affiliation.

The frequent use of abbreviations such as “TD” (temporary duty) or “AWOL” (absent without leaving) enable members to efficiently communicate the point he or she is trying to make without having to spell or say everything out. Jargons are used every day and vary depending on the field of work. For instance, military jargon, as used in the example above, differs completely from medical jargon simply because the terms in military jargon are irrelevant in the medical field.

Jargon is a clear example of how it can make people feel either welcome or excluded because in most cases, the people who recognize and associate themselves with the words will feel included. Unconsciously, children and adolescents use jargon almost everyday at school. A typical example of this can be when a group of friends exchange “inside jokes” with one another on the playground or lunch benches, and then a new kid comes over and asks, “what does that mean” to the group of friends. Then the group of friends respond, “you wouldn’t know, it’s an inside joke.” This example has most probably occurred to everyone at some point in his or her own life and can make everyone feel a sense of exclusion because the group of friends do not open up nor care to make any new friends.