Language is not only the key to communication for all people, but it is also the key to

success. The use of language is one of the greatest necessity of life. The greatest
aspect of language is it's nature to explain, entertain, interpret, teach, and so much
more. From every edge of the world, language is the center of what makes the world
go round. Language does not have any given shape or size. It is a tool that can be
used to build and create, or break down and destroy. Language is as simple as
walking or running, but can also be extremely complicated. Depending on one's
ability to learn, language could be a very difficult task or as simple and pleasant as a
stroll in the park.
With an extensive knowledge of language, one can travel far and wide. Knowing
more than one language can help one get further in life to where they want to go.
Bilingualism is "- the habitual use of two languages, especially in speaking"
(Dictionary, 131). The more languages one can comprehend and use, the better off
their career can be. A person who is able to use more than one language, can
interact with the great variety of people in this world. There are so many different
languages spoken today by different types of people. Knowing multiple languages
benefits oneself in a mixed society. There are many disadvantages of not knowing
more than one language. One of which causes a language barrier that creates lack
of communication. There are other ways to communicate without using words, but no
matter how one communicates with others, it is still some sort of language.
One example of the disadvantage of not knowing different languages is given in
Maxine Hong Kingston's, "The Language of Silence." It is known by many people
that Asians are among the greatest population that have language barriers in
America. Kingston describes the story of how her mother cut her tongue. The
Chinese believed that "a ready tongue is an evil tongue" (Kingston, 16). Throughout
her entire essay, she discusses how she was silent through most of her school
years. This brings upon the reason for her title, the language of silence. One who
does not know a certain kind of language means that he/she cannot speak with
others. The problem of the situation if they do is misunderstanding. A person who
has a language deficit can feel depressed by what they don't know.
Kingston remained silent through her school years because she did not know how to
communicate with her American teacher and students at school. when she tried to
speak, all that came out of her mouth when she tried to speak English were breaks,
cracks, and squeaks. Her attempt to speak English and the results shows that even
though she has her own voice inside her, she was afraid to use it because she didn't
know the language around her. There is a voice within everyone. Whether they
choose to use it or not is strictly up to them. Language barriers prevent people from
expressing themselves clearly. Struggling to get a point across when one doesn't
know the language can be quite frustrating. when the time is right, one can find their
own ways to express themselves. People who don't know a second language fear
the unexpected.

Noel Bennett's, "Halo of the Sun" was another example of language barrier. Bennett
wanted to learn how to weave from the Navajo people. She could not speak the
Navajo language, so she had a tremendously hard time getting someone to help her.
The lack of communication prevented Noel Bennett from doing what she wanted.
She had to wait until someone spoke to her in a language she could understand.
Bennett did not understand that "Long silence was the Navajo way" (Bennett, 315).
This caused her to think that the Navajo had something against the Anglos and were
not willing to help. Bennett eventually learned how to weave when she realized that
by remaining silent, others will help when they see another person in need of help.
Bennett's problem was not only the language barrier she faced, but she was in a
foreign country that she didn't know their ways of living. The lifestyle of people is very
important to language. Some people tend not to talk so much because they believe
that by talking to much, one can get themselves into a lot of trouble. This reasoning
relates to Kingston's essay about the evil tongue. These two examples expresses
the difficulties of not knowing a different. It also shows how hard life can be when
one travels into foreign land and can't speak the language.
Bilingualism has been proved to help people advance themselves in communicating
with a wide range of various kinds of people. "Using language in an effective manner
increases the effectiveness of communications" (Herschell Gordon Lewis, 55).
Language is important for the world in general. To be more specific, language is
essential in the business world. Jan W.Walls ". . . advocates that language skills
training be incorporated into international management education . . . secondlanguage should be an option to International Business students." Walls is explaining
that leaning a second language is the choice of each individual. He or she has the
freedom to choose whether or not to be bilingual. The emphasis however is that,
"bilingualism is more effective than monolingual" (Walls, 85).
The contradictory to Wall's statement is made by the Associated Press. Their survey
finds that, "the American public does not favor bilingual education . . . According to
the poll, 46% of adult Americans oppose bilingual education" (American
Demographics, 58). Almost half of the survey opposes bilingualism. On one hand,
someone supports bilingualism and encourages one to learn a second language, but
on the other hand there are people who oppose bilingual education and is trying
anything to prevent it. Opposing bilingualism takes away one's right to choose.
Having the knowledge of more than one language is beneficial to those who uses it
to accomplish their goals. Whether or not bilingualism is important to one or not
should be left up to them to decide.
Language is a necessity if one wants to get ahead in life. Language can be helpful if
used properly but it can also be harmful if used incorrectly. It can be haphazardous
when applied to different circumstances.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found restrictions

against the use of foreign language at work to be a violation of the Civil Rights Act
unless the restriction are on a business necessity. A California packing meat firm did
not require English fluency as a condition for employment implemented an Englishonly rule to improve safety and productivity. the EEOC ruled that it was
discriminatory based on national origin because there were other ways to
accomplish those goals (Lissy, 20).
The reason for not using foreign language in the workforce is to control the
misunderstandings and miscommunications between employees and employers.
The restriction of foreign language is to maintain the safety of all personnel. If there
is a language barrier in an environment where there are many hazards around, it can
be risky when not everyone understands each other and get the messages
misinterpreted. It is best to keep the communicating level to one language.
Controlling the language usage in the work area increases the stability of activities
that go on. However, using foreign language at work is only acceptable if it deals with
business to help people. If a client or customer comes in for help and he/she doesn't
speak English, it is then that the use of a foreign language is needed. The
knowledge of a second language in the workforce can increase the employment's
productivity, efficiency, and credibility.
Other ways of communicating is by the use of body language. In any way that one
expresses oneself is still using language. Language can be as universal as music.
Through ways of body motions or facial expressions, one can use it to manipulate
what they want to say without saying anything at all. In Brent Staple's essay, "Just
Walk on By," he talks about how he was able to understand what others were saying
about him without having them say anything directly to him. In the beginning of his
essay he describes, "My first victim was a woman. . . . . . I came upon her late one
evening on a deserted street. . . . . She cast back a worried glance . . . . . It was clear
that she thought herself the quarry of a mugger, a rapist, or worse" (Staples, 381).
This quote expresses how by just casting off a worried glance, Staples was able to
realize that the woman was afraid of him. She did not have to say a word, but her
use of body language was enough for Staples to understand that she did not want
him to come closer.
There are many different types of languages throughout the world. In America,
English is supposedly considered to be the standard language. "In 1986 California
voters passed an initiative making English the official state language" (Tim Shreiner,
52). Making a certain language an official language of a state or country must be
passed by legislature. The right of each individual to use their own language cannot
be deprived. If the majority of a state or country speaks any language other than
English, that language has an equal opportunity to become the official language of
that state or country. "Although English is not the official language of the United
States, it has become the official language in California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,

Kentucky, Nebraska, and Virginia. By 1987, legislation will be introduced to make

English the official language of 30 other states" (Cheryl Russell, 7).
Language can be a new and exciting experience for those who wants to endeavor
new challenge. Everyone knows that language is the method of communicating with
others through speaking. If one had an extensive vocabulary of their language, they
can turn that meaning into, language is "the aspect of human behavior that involves
the use of vocal sounds in meaningful patterns" (Dictionary, 736). Language is
something everyone uses everyday. It is essential for daily life. Each and every
individual at one point or another learned some type of language. From that point on
one learns how to use that language to accomplish what they want to do. The better
the knowledge of language one can exceed in his/her curriculum. Language is what
brought this world together. Without language, there would not be much to explore,
create or discover. The magic of language is to unlock the many entries of new life
and expectations.