Threads of Meaning
By Elle Wight | Features | Jan. 31, 2025
Language serves as the framework for connection between people. Not only is it important for communication, but it acts as a diverse form of expression for individuals. Whether it is through writing, art, or speaking, language allows people to express complex feelings and emotions. Dialect and knowledge are strongly related, as language allows society to preserve and spread ideas. As vocabulary continues to evolve, it serves as the foundation for culture and lifestyle. This is prevalent at Stanton College Preparatory School, where the diversity of the student body showcases numerous different languages, emphasizing the distinct cultures and backgrounds present in the school.
“It is a great thing to be able to come into a classroom and not only see the diversity of the student body but hear it through the different languages students can speak,” said Stanton Spanish teacher Mrs. Norma Crespo-Lowery. “Language is not just [about] what you speak, it [also] brings in cultural knowledge.”
Both in the classroom and the world at large, language plays a key role in communication and shapes how we understand and relate to one another. For thousands of years, people have connected through language by sharing knowledge and building relationships. Not only is dialect the primary medium for relaying ideas, it also serves as a foundation for values and lifestyle. Much of an individual’s beliefs are connected to heritage, and language serves as a link between heritage and everyday life.
“Speaking a second language makes me feel way more connected to my culture,” said freshman Saanvi Vaddiparti. “Especially when I am speaking it to people of my culture, it makes me feel like one of them.”
Language is a powerful way to connect to culture. Because of this, many bilingual students use their language skills to strengthen bonds with family members, fostering a deeper sense of cultural connection. Language acts as a bridge which helps preserve cultural traditions, values, and identities within communities. Individuals can connect with various groups of people, whether it is friends, family, or just the community surrounding them.
“I am able to be a part of both American and French cultural groups,” said senior Maxim Drexler. “[I have] family in both the United States and France, and I am able to participate in both cultures.”
For Drexler and many others, shared language fosters a sense of belonging, allowing individuals to connect on a deeper level and create a sense of cultural cohesion. For several students, language is a part of their societal identity. Language relates a person to who they are by connecting them to where they come from.
Language serves as a link to ancestry for numerous people, preserving the diversity of human culture. The diversity of languages highlights the diversity of cultures, not only at Stanton, but in the world at large. With numerous languages spoken in these individuals’ everyday lives, it fosters a strong, diverse community of people that accept and relate to one another. Students can take on different identities through language, experiencing unique roles and interpretations depending on the language in which they are conversing.
“My personality in English is different compared to my personality in Telugu,” said junior Sharanya Medimi. “It is two different sides of my life.”
For bilingual individuals like Medimi, personal identity can be different among languages. The idea that one’s sense of identity is connected to language is not just a theory but is also backed by evidence. According to a 2019 study conducted by Samuel Evans, a lecturer in Neuroscience and Psychology, and other professionals, people who speak multiple languages often report they think differently depending on which language they are using. The National Library of Medicine suggests individuals make more rational decisions in their non-native language. There are fewer biases affecting decisions in their second language, which is called cognitive distancing effect. The concept that language can influence thinking is called linguistic relativity, a common term used in psychology. It proposes language can impact the way people perceive the world and categorize information, especially for those who are bilingual. Speaking multiple languages also allows individuals to relate to different parts of the world, branching out from where they currently live.
“Being bilingual is a big part of who I am,” said junior Ina Sumanjski. “[Speaking multiple languages] allows you to unlock another part of the world for yourself.”
Like Sumanjski, a large portion of the general public speak more than one language, with approximately 43% of the population being considered bilingual, according to the Journal of Neurolinguistics. Like much of the global population, numerous Stanton students learned a second language at a young age; 42% can speak more than one language fluently. Bilingualism enhances communication while simultaneously playing a crucial role in fostering brain development.
“Research on learning a second language reveals differences in kids’ executive function subareas of task switching, inhibition, and problem solving,” said Dr. Katrina Hall, a professor at the University of North Florida who has a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Literacy. “It takes control to keep two languages separate and respond appropriately in the correct language. [Speaking two languages] leads to better academic performance in schools and [helps with] read[ing] social cues and expressions.”
These cognitive benefits of being bilingual can significantly assist students in school. According to a 2019 study conducted by the University of Washington, speaking multiple languages gives students a deep understanding of vocabulary, allowing them to perform better academically. Knowledge in one language can often help facilitate understanding of words in another.
“I like to take pride in the fact I am bilingual,” said sophomore Josecarlos Martinez- Chavez. “It helps me when understanding certain vocabulary words, [especially] prefixes. Overall, being bilingual helps me communicate with a large amount of people in my day-to-day life.”
While some bilingual individuals take pride in their languages, there are struggles many bilingual individuals face. The world is extremely diverse, with over 7,000 different languages spoken across the globe. This diversity of language can create separations among people. Some bilingual individuals struggle with feeling disconnected based on their differences in language.
“I do not know [many people] who speak Polish,” said junior Ania Villas. “[Speaking Polish] reminds me of where my mom came from, but I cannot relate [that part of my identity] to anything here.”
Some feel disconnected based on differences in language which can create divides among people in society. While diverse languages and ways of speaking are often viewed positively, there is still a stigma that can come with bilingualism. People who speak various languages often experience negative stereotypes or prejudices related to their way of speaking.
“People have said mean things [about my] accent, [assuming] I do not speak English,” said Stanton Principal Mrs. Nongongoma Majova-Seane, who was born in South Africa and speaks fluent Xhosa. “Instead, we [should] look at the world [as a whole, recognizing] diversity, and treat everyone [equally]. Just because you have an accent does not mean you do not speak English.”
Stanton students can experience this diversity in the world language department, where students are able to experience many different languages. Stanton world language teachers create numerous opportunities for students to learn a new language while also experiencing cultural connections to the language. Throughout Stanton’s language building, there are many pieces of art which allow students to connect what they learn in their world language class to the real world, and the countries the languages originate from.
Not only does language influence art, but it serves as the foundation for expression through writing. Writing styles like poetry and creative writing are crafted with specific vocabulary to bring the writing to life. These expressive words influence poetry and other forms of writing by shaping the sound, imagery, and overall meaning of the piece. However, individuals can still express language without writing or speaking.
Although language serves as a primary mode of connection between people from various generations, there are significant differences in vocabulary among age groups. Language naturally evolves as new generations adopt distinct words and phrases. Shifts in language are often influenced by cultural changes and technological advancements. With the rise of digital communication among youth, unique forms of communication have evolved among Millennials and Generation Z. Despite this, people of all ages often experience code switching, which is changing between multiple languages or dialects in conversation depending on who they are conversing with. There are also different styles of speaking; formal language is more professional and less personal while informal language is casual. This causes communication styles to differ based on whether an individual is conversing with a close friend versus a teacher or colleague.
“I [tend to use] informal communication like abbreviations, emojis, and slang with my peers, but my communication [is more formal] with my teachers,” said Drexler.
Similar to changes in communication style, language changes generationally as well. Generational changes in language are profoundly intertwined with cultural shifts. Each age group grows up with a unique culture and environment, influencing their speaking and writing. These generational changes in vocabulary include distinctive differences in slang. Slang highlights the evolution of language in everyday life. Younger generations are active on social media platforms, utilizing their fast-paced nature to share and spread new slang terms. Instagram, TikTok, X, and Snapchat are popular platforms that emphasize trending content and introduce users to slang terms rising in popularity. Words like “cap,” “sus,” “rizz,” and “lowkey” are a few examples of Gen Z’s expanded vocabulary. Many of these slang terms were introduced to the public via social media, spreading throughout the younger generations.
“Every few years the slang [students use] changes,” said Mrs. Crespo-Lowery. “I consider it part of my job to keep current and know what the [slang words] mean because I hear [them] in the classroom [daily].”
The diversity of language also allows individuals to connect by advocating for what they believe in. Social media has increased activism for various social issues. People of all ages can reach an audience and stand up for causes they believe in, using their voice to promote change in society. Digital activism, including online petitions and hashtag activism, gained popularity on social media. Activism has evolved from previously being primarily physical forms of protest to now being heavily achieved through digital platforms. Language plays a significant role in modern day activism, with the majority of protests done through ideas shared online with words, showcasing countless languages and differing communication styles. Powerful word choice helps elevate activism, especially through social media.
Whether it is through activism or not, language allows people to express ideas and morals, along with advocating for change. Diction allows those of all ages to use their voice to advocate for what they believe in, allowing individuals to articulate their concerns and ultimately advocate for social change. Through language, everyone has equal opportunity to speak their mind and make a difference.
Language is a personal element of human connection that continues to evolve. Whether through cultural representation, personal identity or everyday communication, dialect allows society to cultivate relationships. The diversity of language allows individuals to express various ideas and create connections among languages. Despite some challenges and barriers, language is the heart of how people relate to one another and understand the evolving world.