Language as a Catalyst for Transformation: Exploring the Impacts of Language on the Human Experience
Open Access
- Author:
- Ruiz Aguirre, Arantza
- Area of Honors:
- French and Francophone Studies
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Tracy Rutler, Thesis Supervisor
J.-Marc Authier, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Language Learning
Transformation
French and Francophone Studies
Bilingualism
Multilingualism - Abstract:
- Language is the main form of human communication, and currently it is estimated that nearly 7000 languages exist worldwide. Beyond the words and the grammatical structures, a language is a system of communication that allows an individual to navigate the human experience, and offers a unique history, culture, and perspective on life. That is why, when an individual opens the door to learning a new language, they are also opening a door to the possibility of seeing life through a different set of eyes. Learning a language means learning a new way of thinking, and individuals who embark on this journey become subject to a transformative experience on many different levels. This thesis explores a how individuals are transformed by the power of language on a cognitive, personal, and a communal level. Composed of a creative writing piece, a literary analysis, and a discussion of the scientific research behind language learning, this thesis delves into the impacts of language on the human experience and examines the diverse ways language learning can transform individuals and societies. I provide a particular perspective on the myriad of ways in which learning new languages can shape the life of an individual or a community. As such, it encourages serious reflection on language learning as not only the addition of a particular skill, but also as an experience that can alter an individual’s perspective of the world in which they live. I argue that language, rather than being a human aspect that divides, can also serve to help us better understand one another, and, in the process, become a motor for unity. As the reader embarks on this journey, this thesis will help uncover many different and profound ways in which language affects us today and will show how it can act as a powerful catalyst for personal and societal transformation.