Does culture represents an important part of an individual identity? During her speech “Don't kill your language (TED talk)” Suzanne talhouk talks about her experience of being discriminated in her country because of using her own language. She explains the importance of preserving language and how it can prevent the death of a nation's soul and identity. She also explains how language is a very important part of culture and how culture is a very important part of your identity. Therefore, culture is seen as the main designer of identity. How we act, react, and see the world depends on the culture we came from. People might see things differently according to their culture. If culture does not give us our first principles what would? As Talhouk states, “Language represents specific stages in our lives, and terminology that is linked to our emotions”(Talhouk 3). Culture is the same. Every time we smell, see or listen to something, it might bring memories that only people from the same culture can remember. These memories shape the way we perceive things in a sense that what could be normal for a group of people, can be disturbing or weird for others from different cultures. According to Talhouk, “The Arabic language doesn’t satisfy today's needs… it definitely isn’t a language we use at the airport. If we did so, they’d strip us of our clothes” (Talhouk 1-2). She believes that she can not use Arabic in the airport because she knows that the Arabic language will bring memories of the 911 to people making them to react certain way “they’d strip us of our clothes”. This connects back to the idea that culture makes us perceive things differently. At the airport they may react this way to her language, but at some place else with different people, they might find it interesting that she speaks Arabic.
It is impossible to erase culture because it is what makes us human. If we grew up isolated from society with animals like dogs for example, we would not be able to learn a language, to cook food or anything really. We will copy the behavior of the animals and act like one of them. That is why when people have grown up in a culture, it reflects on them in many ways. For example, on their belief, gestures, and language. In her speech, Talhouk states, “Should I forget all my culture, thoughts, intellect and all my memories?...To be one of them? where is the logic in that?” (Talhouk 1). She believes that in order to fit in she will have to accept a different culture, and erase memories and thoughts because culture directly affects the way she see things. But, even if she tries to forget she won't be able to do so because her dominant culture is always going to be there. It is impossible to erase it because she grew up with it. Talhouk points out that “When my daughter is born, I'll tell her, “This is your father, honey (Arabic).” I wouldn't say, “This is your dad, honey (English).” ”(Talhouk 5). Talhouk knows that if she raise her daughter in a different culture, it would be impossible to change or erase it after she have grown up. Talhouk want her daughter to carry her culture and have a identity from her background, so she plans to raise her in an Arabic environment.
Even though people accept new cultures, learn new languages and live new lifestyles they always carry their culture. As Talhouk states, “Arabic is the mother tongue… Mastery of the mother tongue is prerequisite for creative expression in other language” (Talhouk 2). When people accept a new culture, speak a new language, and get different habits that doesn't mean they erase or forget their dominant culture. Their identity still is reflected on the new language they speak or the new habits that they get. They still be themselves. Talhouk adds, “Gibran khalil Gibran, when he first started writing, he used Arabic… Even when he wrote in English, when you read his writings in English, you smell the same smell, sense the same feeling” (Talhouk 2). Gilbran experiences as a little boy reflected on his writings even though when he used a different language. When people read his stuff they felt his culture. This because he carry with him his dominant culture even lives the way he used to.
Therefore, culture is identity. What you grow up seen, reflects on your everyday life through your language and habits. Even if you in a different country, speak a different language, and relate to many people from a different culture, your identity is the same because it's in you, in the way you speak, dress and even make decisions.