Abstract
Perhaps more than any other debate in education, the study of language brings up questions of power and identity. How teachers and classmates view the home language of students and their families plays a major role in teachers' expectations and respect for a student's culture, as well as how easily the student will be able to learn and meet long-term educational goals. The paper shows that solving the complex social and economic problems in the U.S. that limit the educational opportunities of African Americans, particularly males, is not an easy task. Still, many educators are introducing new practices targeted specifically to the unique needs of this group. The paper shows that many researchers agree that one of the first steps that must be taken in advancing the educational level of African-American students is to implement Ebonics into inner city curricula. This paper examines the role of Ebonics in cultural identity in an effort to determine whether or not Ebonics should be implemented in classrooms or curricula.

From the Paper
"By implementing Ebonics into school curriculums, teachers are fine-tuning the learning process towards the unique needs of African American students, rather than drilling them on the proper use of grammar and dialect. For example, teachers could use mini-lessons according to the dialect learning needs that students demonstrate. If the students agree that Standard English is appropriate for classroom interaction and for writing, lessons like these would help students reach their language development goals."

Tags:Standard, English, Proficiency, SEP, AAVE, Kwanzaa, Maat

Abstract
The United States is currently going through a period of turmoil regarding whether English should be the only language spoken in the country. The rationale given for insisting that everyone speak English is that 'if people chose to come here, they should learn our language'. This paper examines the effects of this policy on smaller ethnic groups such as the Native American Navajo's who view speaking their native tongue as a kind of spiritual freedom. The paper also looks at the way Yiddish has almost disappeared from the Jewish culture due to this type of integration policy. Other cultures discussed include the Chinese and the Cajuns.

From the Paper
"One other subculture demonstrates the relationship between culture and language. The Chinese have been coming to the United States since the early 1800's, when they came here to work as agricultural workers or in railway construction. The Chinese come from an ancient and highly accomplished civilization, and their culture contained elements that helped them be successful in their new country. Industry and resourcefulness are highly prized traits in Chinese culture, behavioral traits that tended to aid success in their new land. In addition, they valued the extended family, and so were quick to support and help one another (Author not given). However, the dominant culture inadvertently encouraged the Chinese to maintain their language, and the maintenance of language and requirement that they live together encouraged the maintenance of their culture as well. The motivation for this was racial, but allowed the Chinese-American culture to hold on to cultural traditions and language for several generations while other immigration groups were tending to assimilate."

Tags:Proposition, 203, Acadian, Latinos

Abstract
In this article the writer notes that speech as a phenomenon is only characteristic of humans. The introduction of speech and language is an event that cannot be compared to anything in human history. The writer points out that speech and language opened the door for easy and clear communication, thus enabling the distribution of knowledge, feelings and experiences among individual humans. The writer discusses that language plays an important role not only on the broad level of human race as a whole, but also on the level of every individual in the human race. It is not a static phenomenon. The writer notes that language changes within societies we live in but also the individuals within the societies change the language as they move from one environment to another and as they gather new experiences and knowledge. The writer concludes that language is not only a medium of communication. It also has deep significance for the cultural and social identity of an individual.

From the Paper
"The foundation of language and speech is of course in our physiological ability to express ourselves vocally. However, even though every one of us has this ability, we cannot start expressing ourselves verbally using spoken language from the moment we are born. We rather learn to speak, we learn to use the language in everyday life much like the humans did at some point in history. However, today we learn to speak with the help of our closest environment which is most often family. The first words or "vocal signs" we learn to use are often tied to the need for sharing our desires in the way most part of environment can understand and interpret. Simply by replacing mute, gesticulate "signs" of pointing, making faces or dancing, or "signs" of crying and grunting; with the "verbal sign" "angry" humans manage to establish contact with their broader environment."

Tags:spoken, vocal, signs, contact

Abstract
The paper discusses speech as a phenomenon that is only characteristic for humans and that has opened the door for an easy and clear communication, thus enabling the distribution of knowledge, feelings and experiences among individual humans. The paper explains how speech was crucial in the development of the systematic knowledge and the formation of cultures and societies. The paper further explains that language plays an important role not only on the broad level of human race as a whole, but also on the level of every individual of human race. The paper emphasizes that speech is not a static phenomenon.

From the Paper
"The speech as a phenomenon is only characteristic for humans. The introduction of speech and language is an event that cannot be compared to anything in the human history. Speech and language opened the door for an easy and clear communication thus enabling the distribution of knowledge, feelings and experiences among individual humans. It was crucial in the development of the systematic knowledge, as we know it today, formation of cultures and societies. Language plays an important role not only on the broad level of human race as a whole, but also on the level of every individual of human race. It is not a static phenomenon. It changes within..."

Tags:language, communication, identity

Abstract
The paper discusses how from the time of birth, the individual begins to learn about who he or she is in the world through contact with parents and the interpretations of parental roles that are transmitted to the child. The paper explains that females may learn that they are the primary caretakers, while males may grow to understand that they are dominant figures in the household, and through these interactions, children develop gender role ideas that will lead them to their later communication with others in their own culture. The paper then discusses how as the child ages, he will begin to understand language, social roles and views of the greater society through cultural norms that are shared by those in the child's immediate community. The paper notes that these ideas are generally carried throughout life and are consistently affected by the experiences that the person has over time. The paper adds that once the individual enters a completely new cultural environment, learning to adapt to that environment can be difficult and pose significant problems, especially if the identity that the person has developed during the lifetime is cast aside as insignificant.

From the Paper
"From the time of birth, the individual begins to learn about who he or she is in the world through contact with parents and the interpretations of parental roles that are transmitted to the child. Females may learn that they are the primary caretakers, while males may grow to understand that they are dominant figures in the household. Through these interactions children develop gender role ideas that will lead them to their later communication with others in their own culture. As the child ages, however, the child will begin to understand language, social roles and views of the greater society through cultural norms that are shared by..."

Tags:second, language, learners

From the Paper
"Language can influence thinking, reasoning, problem solving, and social stereotypes. It allows us to manipulate symbols rather than objects. It directs our attention, as the advertising industry knows very well. It allows us to create detailed plans for the future--we can think ahead in abstract terms. Finally, although the extent to which linguistic differences between cultures results in different ways of thinking and perceiving remains an open question, we can conjecture that language is a powerful social tool for cultural transformation.

Educators, parents, child psychologists, and all socially conscious citizens would do well to heed Benjamin Lee Whorf's (1897-1941) view that language shapes thought. If the young mind is especially malleable, it would appear that language issues..."

Abstract
This paper discusses the issue of 'English Only' laws in America. The United States is a pluralistic society. It can be described as 'a melting pot' of languages and cultures. Language is a critical part of every culture and brings with it a strong sense of national linguistics, cultural identity, and individual perception. Language helps to tell who a person is, that person's values and beliefs. The paper contends that unity and disunity can be a result of the use of multiple and solitary languages. The paper explains that the welfare of the public can be greatly affected by language, as seen through the viewpoints of health care professionals and public educators presented in this paper.

Outline
Introduction
Linguistic Nationalism
Pluralistic Society
Language and Maintenance of Identity
Perception and the Role of Language
Single/Multiple Languages - Unity or Disunity
Stakeholders
Viewpoints from Health Care Professionals
Viewpoints from Public Educators
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Throughout the history of the United States there have been multiple languages spoken by different cultures. A "melting pot" of cultures (including languages) is what the United States has been known for. This linguistic diversity continues into our present day culture. Language is a critical part of every culture and brings with it a strong sense of national linguistics. A society's identity and perception revolve around their language. Multiple or solitary languages can bring either unity or disunity depending on the situation. In every society, the welfare and needs of the public is strived to be taken care of. When there are multiple languages spoken in a pluralistic society, the lack of communication can be a barrier for the populations needs."

Tags:linguistics, culture, society

Abstract
Culture is formed from many factors of social life. The geography, interactions with other states, and even language can influence a society's culture. China's rich history has led to a complex maturity and experimentation with civil codes of conduct. One of the major contributing factors to Chinese ethnic identity lies in religion and philosophy. This paper discusses the role of religion and philosophy in China, how it shapes cultural and global awareness, and how it influences everyday life and commerce in cities and rural towns. Several Chinese philosophers and their teachings are discussed, including Confucius and Lao-Tzu.

From the Paper
"The teachings of Confucianism can still be seen today in Chinese society. "Confucius viewed woman as a thoroughly irrational creature often as difficult to deal with as servants" (Weber 161). The encouragement of a patrilineal society in historic times has lived through thousands of years and can still be seen in some contemporary issues. The favoritism of male over females during the One Child Policy period after 1979 sheds light on the patrilineal view of Chinese society. The One Child Policy was created to control the population in China. When this policy was implemented, boys were preferred over girls because they were considered superior. Women were not given the same opportunity to receive an education while infanticides occurred in hopes for a son instead of a daughter. In light of Confucianism, countries such as Japan and Korea have also shown the tendency of women to be regarded as subordinates. With the recognition of human rights and western influence has slowly been changing the status of women."

Tags:anthropology, buddhism, confucianism, guanxi, taoism

Abstract
This paper discusses the Xhosa people, who are Black Africans who live in the Republic of South Africa, mainly in Ciskei and Transkei in the Eastern Cape areas. It looks at the history of the people and the political situation they find themselves in, particularly the suffering that was brought on them by the apartheid system. The paper also briefly looks at Nelson and Winnie Mandela and their roles among the people. Finally, the paper discusses the culture and cultural practices of the Xhosa people.

Table of Contents:
History
Political Situation
The National Suicide of the Xhosa People
Culture
Identity
Language
Customs
Clothing
Marriage
Religion
Christianity Among the Xhosa
Cultural Practices
Cooperative Labor and Beer-Drinking
Creativity in Ceramics
Beadwork
Singing
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Xhosa people were a historically oppressed race by the apartheid system. The inhumane-ness of the system was graphically demonstrated by the struggles and extreme miseries of its heroic leaders Nelson and Winnie Mandela and the people themselves duped into starvation in 1856. Yet they are a people with their own distinct and rich culture. The Xhosa people cherish their own identity as a race, language, customs, clothing, religion, marriage observances and cultural practices. These cultural practices reveal that identity, the experience of oppression and aspirations, which cannot and should not be ignored. Their value of work includes rewarding themselves for their labor through beer parties, a form of socialization. The wounds of oppression and misery find their way into art forms, such as ceramics, beadwork and song. A race, which produced heroes like Nelson and Winnie Mandela, and turns out excellent and deeply meaningful art works, deserves recognition and appreciation from the rest of the world. Their creative talents should be strongly encouraged in achieving their own aspirations as a distinct and valued people."

Tags:Mandela, oppression, race, language, customs, clothing

Abstract
The paper discusses how by the end of the 19th century, Black Americans were freed from slavery, but they were not entitled to progress and equal rights in society. The paper explains that the new educated, proud and urbane African-American was in sharp contrast to the rural, ignorant and humble Negro plantation worker. These Black Americans were unwilling to give up their rights as Americans. The paper describes the Harlem Renaissance and shows how African-Americans defined their black pride and identity in a society dominated by whites. The paper demonstrates how Africa became a symbol of identification for the blacks during this period and Harlem played an important role in the development of ideas, styles, language and culture.

From the Paper
"By the end of the 19th century, Black Americans had long been out of the shackles of slavery, but they felt that the majority white population had not accepted them as freemen, entitled to progress and compete for their place in the society. A large black elite, educated, prosperous and professionals to the core had also developed by then. Some recognized themselves to be black but there were also those who believed themselves to be "not-Negro". Famous American writer Jean Toomer, for example, did not want to be recognized as black. Toomer was reluctant to have his work incorporated in Alain Locke's book 'New Negro' and in an interview remarked that "I have not lived as [a Negro], nor do I really know whether there is any colored blood in me or not" (Jean Toomer's Washington and the Politics of Class, 2006]."

Tags:Negro, culture, styles, art, literature