A person’s identity seems to be found in several elements, such as sex, religion, and culture. Of all these language play a significant in delineate a unique nature of a person. In most cases, language occurs in various spoken, written, and unwritten forms. Regardless of their unique characters, language not only conveys a message but also plays an important role in promoting personal and social identity among these items. As a mode of communication, it is supposed to work by collectively binding people through various networks while simultaneously storing the same code. Through various forms of language, people learn to understand and master the various concepts that occur in society. In other words, it cannot be regarded as a simple form of verbal exchange but as an indisputable link of cooperation. Language has the power of creating space within the highly competitive and oppressed society.
Language is a powerful means that empowers people to forge ties directly linked in a given network. In his essay, “If Black English is not a language, then tell me what it is,” the renowned scholar James Baldwin points language to have exceptional energy (Baldwin, 1997). Moreover, he states “language can show direction and path for the members of the society to follow (Baldwin 1979).” The renowned scholar accepts that it is a vibrant key to human identification. He noted that the enslaved Africans in America could have failed to be identified if they did not have a common language. As a scholar, he believed that these members were identified due to their ability to communicate in a common language. Through the strong mastery of their language, these members established their social and cultural identity in the region. They managed to identify themselves as well as to create space in the highly oppressing society.
Baldwin continues to remind the global community that language has the power to unveil a person’s identity. As a result, it has been used as one of the most powerful tools in the social and political sphere. For example, during American presidential campaigns, Donald Trump and Joe Biden used varied forms of language to reveal their identity (McLarney, 2019). For instance, Biden used many styles to articulate the issues he aimed to convey to the electorates. Through his constant seductive words, he captured the people’s attention, thus gaining more votes and becoming the president of America. The above scenario indicates that words used in the language can promote an individual’s personal and social identity.
Subsequently, James Baldwin accepts that language has the power to create circumstances and reality. He believes that people have created various forms of language to help them control their immediate environment. Through language, persons of given social groups can connect and control their operational areas (Baldwin, 1979). Through talking, these members can carry out their daily activities in various contexts. He believes that the social spheres, such as schools, churches, and political arenas have been promoted due to the use and appreciation of the spoken word. Therefore, he accepts the need to promote the language not only for social cohesion but also promotion of the cultural spheres that occur in society.
The well-thought interview conducted in 1963 further supports that language is not just a way of communication but a powerful element of binding society. Baldwin narrates that it is through the use of black language that the black members of American society have been identified (Baldwin, 1963). He states, “The whole language of writing for me is finding out what you don’t want to know… (Baldwin 1979).” He seemed to have accepted that the black community initially struggled with personal and social identity due to a lack of a common language. These members had no proper form of communication and hence experienced the highest suffering. Fortunately, these people later evolved their language to help control the circumstances in their environment (McLarney, 2019). He continues to state, “What joins all languages, and all men, is the necessity to confront life (Baldwin 1979).” Through the development of the new common language, enslaved black Americans managed to control the issues that continued to affect their society and promoted the social identity of America. In other words, it was through the distinctive lingual character that these Negros perfectly communicated to redeem their space in America
James Baldwin’s idea that language is a key to personal and social identity is proven to be a reality. Marking of Black English is a perfect example of the power of the language in promoting identity among the people of the society. Through the development of the word, the American people, especially the black community, have effectively adapted and identified themselves with the members of society. As noted, it is through the development of the spoken word that these members have managed to develop varied spheres such as churches, schools, and hospitals. Further, through language development, these people have managed to be identified in the United States of America. Therefore, community members need to understand these critical values of language and work towards improving its value. This approach will help promote its use and continue to propel James Baldwin’s ideas about the power of using the spoken word to promote the identity of the people in society.
References
Baldwin, A. J. (1997). If Black English isn’t a language, then tell me, what is? The Black Scholar, 27(1), 5–6. Web.
Baldwin, A. J. (1959). The discovery of what it means to be an American. Collected Essays, 142. Web.
Baldwin, A. J. (1963). James Baldwin Interview. [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Baldwin, A. J. (1979). James Baldwin speech. [Video]. YouTube. Web.
McLarney, E. (2019). James Baldwin and the power of Black Muslim language. Social Text, 37(1), 51–84. Web.