“It goes without saying that language is a political instrument and proof of power. It is the most vital and critical key to identity: It reveals the private, identity and connects one with or divorces one from, the larger public or communal identity.” - James Baldwin
2007-10-08 08:38:20 · 7 answers · asked by Camo 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
A good strategy would be to read, summarize, and respond to Baldwin's brief essay, which is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/29/specials/baldwin-english.html
If this or any other answer to your question helps you resolve this issue, please select a "best answer." This motivates people to help you and rewards their research in your behalf.
Cheers,
Bruce
2007-10-12 08:30:57 · answer #1 · answered by Bruce 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that language makes an impact on us in many ways good and bad, helpful, nonhelpful, etc.
Are you just solely an English speaker? how would you feel if you up and left and went to another country where they only speak their language? lost, alone, unsure, insecure... detached... helpless..? then consider What if it was a country where you couldn't relate to the people as far as social and way of life dealings...
How do you feel when trying to help someone when they can't speak your language?
What about those that use language/body language so well that they can practically get almost everything they want to achieve... those that can trick you to believe anything they say just by power of their language and word usage... what about those that you can't believe a thing of just simply by their language skills and body language.
maybe those are some things to consider when thinking about what this quote means...
2007-10-08 15:49:39 · answer #2 · answered by Cammy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means that a command of your language is a powerful tool.
If you include Mr. Baldwin's quote, you only have 454 more words to write.. better get busy.
2007-10-08 15:46:28 · answer #3 · answered by Bob Thompson 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You could say and quote me on this That I agree with Plato or Socrates when he said "the Unexamined life is not worth living."Baldwin is an examiner of the political life but whether he examined his own life is hard to see.
2007-10-12 15:07:06 · answer #4 · answered by godbar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How you express yourself is very telling. Your background, degree of education, the area you come from can all be ascertained by your speech patterns. Your intelligence and aspects of your personality can be guessed by how well you can express yourself. These "tells" either empower you or set you apart from one group or another.
I hope this is helpful.
2007-10-08 15:50:41 · answer #5 · answered by hickcrazy1 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Quite Orwellian. And very true. Newspeak is reality.
2007-10-08 15:43:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means you shouldn't wait til the last minute to write 500 words
2007-10-08 15:42:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋