TITLE: THE INFLUENCE OF MULTILINGUALISM ON IDENTITY

FORMATION AND CULTURAL BELONGING

Name:- Aliya Aqeela M M

Student ID:- 202102441

Paper 14: Non-fiction Prose

BA (Hons) English, Sem VI

Submitted to:- Dr. Debaditya Battacharya

Submitted on:- April 30, 2024

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Abstract

This study delves into the complex interplay between multilingualism, the development of

personal identity, and the sense of belonging within cultural groups, inspired by Meena

Alexander's 'Language and Shame' and Salman Rushdie’s ‘Imaginary Homelands’. It argues

that multilingual capabilities significantly shape an individual's identity and their place within

cultural contexts. The research examines language's role in both aiding and hindering cultural

integration, and how the richness of languages can either include or isolate individuals. This

paper illustrates that multilingualism adds depth to one's identity through varied cultural

lenses and promotes understanding within society. It also addresses the struggles faced by

those who navigate multiple languages, including issues of identity confusion and feeling

culturally unmoored. The study aims to highlight the importance of recognizing language's

influence in our social environments and affirm the benefits of language diversity for more

welcoming communities. This research contributes to the wider conversation on identity and

cultural connection in a linguistically diverse world, shedding light on language's capacity to

bridge cultural divides.

Keywords:- multilingualism, multiculturalism, identity, cultural belonging, diaspora

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Introduction

In a world where borders are increasingly blurred, the complex narrative of human language

intricately shapes our sense of self and our connection to culture. Drawing from Meena

Alexander's insightful essay 'Language and Shame' and Salman Rushdie’s powerful essay

‘Imaginary Homelands’, this paper seeks to further investigate the significant role

multilingualism plays in the development of personal identity and the feeling of cultural

connectedness. Meena Alexander's essay poignantly addresses the dual power of language:

its ability to empower and to impose limits, a theme this research endeavors to explore. For

those who speak multiple languages, each language offers a unique cultural narrative and

emotional depth. The act of switching between languages is not just a practical ability but a

deeply transformative process that influences one's inner world. Multilingualism, as explored

by Salman Rushdie in "Imaginary Homelands," profoundly shapes identity and cultural

belonging. It fosters a dynamic interplay between languages, allowing individuals to navigate

multiple cultural landscapes. This linguistic dexterity not only enriches personal identity but

also bridges disparate communities, creating a sense of belonging that transcends

geographical borders. Rushdie's work exemplifies how language can be both a home and a

journey, reflecting the fluidity and complexity of diasporic life.

Rushdie and Alexander are perfect examples to draw inspiration from because their works

exemplify the creative potential of nonfiction prose to articulate the diasporic experience.

They demonstrate how prose can vividly capture the internal landscapes of individuals who

live between worlds. Their writings encourage readers to consider the profound ways in

which language shapes our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. This

research will scrutinize how speaking various languages can reflect and shape our complex
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identities. It will also examine the impact of linguistic abilities and preferences on our

acceptance or exclusion from cultural communities. Indian-origin writers like V.S. Naipaul,

Salman Rushdie, and Jhumpa Lahiri have made significant contributions to world literature.

Their works bridge the gap between their homeland and adopted land, exploring themes of

representation and belonging. These writers often delve into themes related to immigration,

displacement, nostalgia, alienation, mixed cultural identity, and ethnicity. Their narratives

provide insights into the complexities of diasporic experiences and cultural preservation.

Literature Review

‘Language and Shame’ by Meena Alexander

The themes of displacement, migration, memory, the significance of place, and diaspora are

central to Alexander's literary works, as exemplified in her notable essay 'Language and

Shame' and her poetry. Her prose and verse mirror the diverse cultural experiences she has

encountered in India, Sudan, and the United States. In 'Language and Shame,' Alexander

conveys the sense of alienation and cultural misalignment that often arises from residing in a

foreign land. The interplay of multiculturalism and multilingualism is pivotal in shaping

individual identity. While a person can adapt to new environments and integrate into local

communities through language acquisition, identity is an amalgam of lifelong experiences,

from birth to the present. Relocating does not facilitate the construction of a new persona, as

the memories of one's formative years persist in the mind's depths. One's native tongue and

cultural heritage remain intrinsic parts of the self, even amidst efforts to assimilate into a new

socio-cultural milieu. The essence of one's identity is indelible.

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The Indian diaspora encompasses a diverse group of individuals, including laborers,

merchants, and artisans, who ventured to foreign lands in pursuit of employment, prosperity,

and adventure. This migration was not solely a voluntary quest but was also propelled by the

coercive forces of British imperialism, which mandated the relocation of a significant portion

of the population, a phenomenon not unique to India but prevalent among other colonized

nations as well. The concept of diaspora is often associated with profound feelings of

dislocation and estrangement from one's homeland. Among the literary voices that articulate

this experience is Meena Alexander, who stands alongside other prominent diaspora writers

such as Salman Rushdie, Anita Desai, and Jhumpa Lahiri. However, the essence of the

diaspora experience lies not in the act of forgetting but in the persistent remembrance of one's

identity. Meena Alexander, originally named Mary Elizabeth, reclaimed her identity at the

age of 15 by adopting the name 'Meena,' a moniker that resonated with her familial roots and

personal history.

Alexander's narrative establishes a poignant connection between language and a sense of

shame. During her formative years, she grappled with a feeling of embarrassment towards her

native language, which was in stark contrast to the language she was encouraged to learn at

school, celebrated for its rich literary heritage. This internal conflict is emblematic of many

diaspora writers who find themselves caught between the language of their adopted country

and their mother tongue. Alexander recounts her alienation from Malayalam, her native

language, expressing a yearning to directly engage with the seminal works of Malayalam

literature, such as those by Lalithambika Antharjanam, Balamani Amma, and Ayyappa

Panicker. Her inability to do so highlights her transformation into a postcolonial individual,

one who predominantly exists within the realm of the English language.
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This dichotomy between the languages reflects a broader struggle within the diaspora

community, where the process of cultural assimilation often comes at the cost of a diminished

connection to one's linguistic roots. The act of renaming oneself, as Alexander did, can be

seen as an attempt to bridge this gap, to reaffirm one's cultural identity in the face of

pervasive colonial influences. It is through language that the diaspora seeks to navigate the

complexities of their dual existence, often oscillating between the desire to integrate into their

new environment and the innate pull towards their ancestral heritage.

In examining the works of diaspora writers, one observes a recurring theme of identity

negotiation, where language plays a pivotal role. The choice of language, whether it be the

colonial tongue or the vernacular, becomes a powerful symbol of self-definition and

resistance. For Alexander and her contemporaries, writing in English is not merely a practical

decision but a deliberate act of reclaiming space within the postcolonial discourse. Their

narratives serve as a testament to the resilience of the diaspora, who, despite the disorienting

effects of displacement, continue to forge a sense of self that honors both their past and their

present. The Indian diaspora's journey is marked by a continuous quest for self-discovery,

where language emerges as both a source of empowerment and a reminder of loss. Writers

like Meena Alexander illuminate the multifaceted nature of this experience, offering insights

into the enduring impact of colonialism on individual and collective identities. As the

diaspora navigates the interstitial spaces between cultures, their stories become a beacon for

others, reflecting the universal human search for belonging and understanding in an

ever-changing world.
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Meena Alexander, in her memoir "Fault Lines," portrays the impact of multiculturalism and

multilingualism on a person's identity and cultural belonging with profound introspection and

poetic sensitivity. The memoir is a journey through Alexander's life, reflecting her

experiences with multiple migrations and the resulting sense of loss and search for a

homeland. Alexander's narrative traverses through various landscapes, from Allahabad to

Tiruvella to Khartoum to Manhattan, each place contributing to the mosaic of her identity.

She grapples with the complexities of being rooted in diverse cultures, which enriches her

sense of self but also creates a feeling of fragmentation. The memoir examines the

postcolonial migrating body with a global understanding, acknowledging the challenges and

enrichments that come from living in multicultural societies.

Learning and losing languages such as Malayalam, Hindi, Arabic, and English, Alexander's

memoir illustrates the survival of her identity through poetry. The act of writing becomes a

means to navigate the fault lines of her multilingual existence. Her memoir poignantly

captures the emotional landscape of an immigrant woman who must reconcile the many

languages she speaks with the cultural expectations of each community she belongs to.

Alexander employs the metaphor of "fault lines" to represent the linguistic, geographic, and

cultural divisions within her identity. Her work is a testament to the immigrant angst, the

nostalgia for home caused by immigration, and the cultural negotiations that immigrants

make to survive. She expresses her personal growth through the portrayal of cross-cultural

voyages and border crossings, highlighting the fundamental issues of longing and belonging,

memory and marginality.

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‘Imaginary Homelands’ by Salman Rushdie

In the realm of identity formation, the interplay of multilingualism and multiculturalism is

profound. Salman Rushdie, in his poignant essays, captures the essence of this interplay as he

navigates through the nuances of cultural identity. His characters, often caught between

worlds, embody the struggles and richness of a multicultural existence. They are the living

syntheses of diverse cultural heritages, speaking to the heart of what it means to belong in a

world that is increasingly interconnected yet fragmented. Rushdie's "Imaginary Homelands"

is not just a reflection on the diaspora's longing for a place called home; it is also a

commentary on the fluidity of identity in a multilingual context. Rushdie quotes that it is the

present that is foreign to him while the past is home; a lost home in a lost city in the mists of

lost time. The essay argues that language and culture are inseparable, each informing and

shaping the other. As individuals engage with multiple languages, they also engage with the

cultures and worldviews embedded within them. This engagement is a dynamic process, one

that can lead to a sense of belonging that is layered and complex, much like the narratives

Rushdie weaves. When Rushdie visits his hometown of Bombay, he feels that the life he

lived outside India was an illusion and what he saw in his country was the reality. And he

accounts that that's when his novel ‘Midnight’s Children’ was born: when he realized how

much he wanted to restore his past to himself in a whole Cinemascope and Technicolor.

The influence of multilingualism extends beyond the mere ability to communicate; it is about

the capacity to live and experience the world through different cultural lenses. Rushdie's work

illustrates that language is not just a tool for expression but also a means of connecting with

others and understanding oneself in relation to the broader human experience. It is through

this connection that individuals find their place in the cultural mosaic, crafting identities that
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are both unique and shared. ‘When physical alienation from India inevitably means the past

cannot be retrieved, we create a fiction - one that is invisible, India's of the mind, the

Imaginary Homelands’, he recalls. Multiculturalism, as Rushdie presents it, is not without its

challenges. It requires the negotiation of identities, the balancing of traditions, and the

embracing of new cultural forms. Yet, it is this very process of negotiation and balance that

enriches the individual's sense of self. Rushdie's essays celebrate the diversity of the human

experience and the myriad ways in which language and culture intersect to form our

identities.

Rushdie's "Imaginary Homelands" offers a profound exploration of how multilingualism and

multiculturalism influence identity and cultural belonging. It is a testament to the power of

language and culture to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. As we

navigate our own "imaginary homelands," we find that our identities are not fixed but are

continually being redefined by the languages we speak and the cultures we embrace. The

essay articulates the idea that migrants create an imagined version of their homeland, a place

that no longer exists in reality but persists in memory and imagination. Rushdie’s own

experience as a diasporic writer informs his perspective that the migrant is a central figure of

the 20th century, navigating between cultures and languages. His essays reveal the profound

understanding that fiction is not just a reflection of reality but also a means to question and

redefine it. Rushdie’s work is a testament to the power of prose in capturing the complexities

of identity in a globalized world.

In “Midnight’s Children,” Rushdie uses the protagonist, Saleem Sinai, to explore the impact

of language on identity. Saleem’s narrative, rich with various Indian languages, reflects the

linguistic diversity of India and how it shapes his sense of self. The novel’s use of English,
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infused with Indian linguistic elements, showcases Rushdie’s style of incorporating multiple

languages to create a unique narrative voice that mirrors the multicultural identity crisis. “The

Satanic Verses” is another significant work where Rushdie delves into the theme of

multilingualism. The characters in this novel grapple with the challenges of living between

cultures and languages. The protagonist’s transformation and his struggle with language

highlight the disorientation and identity crisis often experienced by those who live in a

diaspora. His characters often embody the complexities of multilingualism, showing how

language can both connect us to and alienate us from our cultural heritage. Through his

narrative techniques and character development, Rushdie illustrates the profound impact of

multilingualism on personal and collective identity.

Conclusion

Our investigation into the impact of multilingualism on personal identity and cultural

affiliation has uncovered a multifaceted narrative where language serves as both a connector

and a divider. Navigating through the diverse terrains of languages has affirmed that

multilingualism transcends simple communication; it is integral to shaping one's self-concept

and cultural interactions. The discourse within this paper underscores the influential role of

language, resonating with Meena Alexander's and Salman Rushdie’s reflections on language's

relationship with our existence. Findings indicate that individuals fluent in multiple languages

have a distinctive capacity for identity fluidity, mirroring the dynamic process of cultural

assimilation. Furthermore, the link between linguistic mastery and a sense of belonging in

society emphasizes the value of embracing linguistic variety to promote inclusivity.

Examining multilingualism sheds light on the intricate processes of developing one's identity
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and the pursuit of cultural connection. It celebrates the human capacity to belong to various

linguistic realms, highlighting the potential for a more understanding and united global

society.

In conclusion, Rushdie and Alexander, through their exceptional nonfiction prose, provide a

rich tapestry of experiences and reflections that are invaluable to anyone exploring the

intersection of multilingualism, identity, and cultural belonging. Their works stand as a

testament to the enduring power of language to define, divide, and ultimately unite us across

the imagined homelands we carry within ourselves.

References

1.​ Alexander, M. (1993). Fault Lines: A Memoir. New York: Feminist Press at CUNY.

2.​ Alexander, M. (1996). ‘Language and Shame’. In The Shock of Arrival: Reflections

on Postcolonial Experience. Boston: South End Press.

3.​ Rushdie, S. (1981). Midnight’s Children. London: Jonathan Cape.

4.​ Rushdie, S. (1988). The Satanic Verses. London: Viking Press.

5.​ Rushdie, S. (1991). Imaginary Homelands: Essays and Criticism 1981-1991. London:

Granta Books.