Language Of Belonging

Language is defined as the communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals such as voice sounds, gestures and written symbols. Following with its definition shows that it can be the significant feature for every individuals as human beings to determine identity and sense of belonging. So from using the ability of language to communicate with others is one of the elements which allows us the develop our own unique sense of self. We learn about ourself as we interact with others. As we share our experiences and listen to the others' views of life we are constantly reassessing of who we are and how we belong. Finding people who have similar experiences is validating but having contact with those whom have different
worldview and experiences can also shape the greater change in us. Therefore it seems that the wider interactions we make the more we have of the development our strong sense of self.

Our family is highly influence the development of who we are becoming.
Parents and elders are our first teacher so it is natural that children wish to please those who closest to them. However, a common trend according to Growing Up Asian in Australia by Alice Pung shows that many migrant children spoke their parents' native language at home. Yet once they reach their school age automatically they will loose some or even all those language skills which used in order for them to communicate with their parents. This leads to the failure to communicate and understand their parents. Nevertheless, as they are at the stage of growing up the development of their truth sense of self can seem to be in unsurmountable obstacle to navigate them in life. Due to the reason they still confuse about them being an 'Australian' and the lack of knowledge about their parents culture which they carry in their heart. Just like when Hoa Pham thought "being Vietnamese is a curse" to her shows that their cultural legacy is misunderstandability. The involvement of sharing religious and culture experiences can help families cohesion and so if these connections are not made, true communication will be
disconcerted.

Many Asian second-generation migrants choose to leave their homes to seek a new independent life, mostly is for the sake of their dreams. They believe that the superior education system they choose will afford their ambitions. However, sacrifices have to made often were so great that nothing could compare with. In "Five Ways........." Diana Nguyen believes she is a failure to her mother because her dreams do not match with her mother's expectations. Experience the most sadness feeling of being a failure daughter she writes "For the past two years.........". More importantly for all those years she never share her feelings with her mother because she states she has "lack of interest" in learning her mother's language that "create lasting communication barriers" between them. Which cause to form a gap of cultural misunderstandings that resulted she being estranged from her mother. It would seem that the lack of meaningful dialogues between the generations had a detrimental impact on those have similar problems to Diana as they struggle to establish their true identities and find their path of life.

Moreover, as thought we need to engaged in conversations with others to enable us to frame our identity, and the determine the personality that suits us within a particular language community.
Without interactions in language, we may feel like we are falling into an emotional empty, completely isolated and alone. According to a report in The Australian on August 8, 2008, two hundreds ninety-nine international students were deported from Australia cause to their visa was canceled. The reason of this occur mostly were because their poor study performances and failing their courses. It happened were from the barrier of language which make them feel unacceptance in this new community so it caused them stresses the influenced to their studying. The fact that many Asians go oversea for educations suffer similar
experiences.

Despite facing communication problems in families and challenges at school, in the community most of those who experienced the struggles have opportunities to develop a genuine sense of identity. To those whom successfully influenced and enrich by two culture, which are given as a gift, to become something that is powerful and unique.