FINAL PROJECT: Life History
Introduction
With respect to fulfilling the requirements of this project, I interview a close friend of mine who has experiences of two different culture. As an Indian American my friend who is to remain anonymous based on their assertion of privacy and confidentiality has a substantial experience of what it means to experience the American culture being from the India one. She has lived more than half her life in the United States and therefore understands the differences amid the two. She is an actual reflection of a native and an immigrant she has had to face different challenges that are related to language and fitting in and that is why she was selected for the study. She is also sympathetic and unlike most of the others whom I had requested to participate, she was willing to assist. Individuals who migrant or find refuge in America from India rarely have challenges in regard to communicating and collaborating with Americans since most of this populace learn to speak English proficiently within the shortest period since education in India is acquired in English. However, there is a major difference in regard to their dialect and accent as well their Indian accent is noticeable, Indians normally speak the British based English which has major distinctions with the American one (Adair, 2012). Having an experience of two culture has evident language, expression and interactive effects on an individual.
Summary and Analysis
The interview was conducted for slightly over an hour based on the consent given by the interviewee. This was done during the weekend due to convenience and the ability to interact freely with lesser interruptions. This period which was particularly a long one is vital as it proved to be effective by providing more information in regard to the experience, exposure and the effects of both cultures on their idiomatic and dialect expression. The interview was smooth based on the good understanding among both parties. From the interview, it becomes apparent that Indian dialect and accent can never be ignored as their shape nature stands for everything while communication. Their Indian English is similar to the British one which creates major distinctions with the American accent and dialect (Adair, 2012). Thus, if one is not acquainted with regard to the correct terms then misinterpretation and confusion during communication are prevalent. I noted that in most cases the general spelling of certain terms appears to be similar to the American language but differs in reference to articulation and accent. For instance, as an Indian, the word schedule is articulated as ‘’Skedule’’ which might be misinterpreted or bring about confusion (Adair, 2012).
Something that remained prevalent throughout the interview is the fact that she demonstrated few but apparent challenges in understanding certain concepts from our conversation. This made some terms such as pardon me, I am sorry, I do not get you and so on. From the interview, there are a number of differences that were detected in regard to language, accent, dialect, pronunciation, interaction, and role-playing. To begin with, in regard to accent, India remains to be amongst the most popular Accent in America and globally (Deaux, 2006). This does not imply that the accent that is displayed in the contemporary media is accurate because it tends to demonstrate some exaggeration in order to gain the attention of the target audience.
In reference to the Indian accent from the conducted interview, the consonants are very loud and are not articulated. The accent appears more to be closely related with the phonetic such as that of Spain and most letters are pronounced almost the same but varies depending on the terms in question. Spelling similar to pronunciations differ from the American language and based on the influence of the American culture exposure like ‘’ organization’’ and organization and appears to be inconsistent due to the influence acquired from both cultures (Adair, 2012). I also noticed that some words that appear in the Indian American dialect are not within the English language such as time-pass a primary term that is mainly utilized in describing those things that are done during the free period as a way of eliminating boredom.
While the American culture and interactions encourage expressionism and active role-playing in conversations and communication the Indian one is mainly focused on conservationism. In that from the interview, the interviewee would remain silent to listen carefully to the questions and ideas being raised and offer they have constructed opinions in regard. This opposes the American culture where individuals normally play an active role in regard to talking and raising their voice to ensure that their ideas are acknowledged and heard (Deaux, 2006). In other words, the interviewee played the passive role throughout the interview where she did not raise any idea unless fully prompted to be detailed and assertive.
Indian English normally utilizes the Indian culture system of numbering. Most of the idiomatic expressions that are acquired from the Indian related dialect and languages have additionally been incorporated into the language. However, there is still a prevalent homogeneity in regard to vocabularies, phonetics amid the differences within the Indian English vernacular (Finegan, 2014). The Indian accent is one that is characterized by huge differences as most English speaking Indians tend to portray a strong dialect and native painted accent. Generally, the Indian English is one that is characterized by limited peculiarities in reference to the vowels rhythm as in most cases word splitting and pronunciation vary depending on the person that is talking. Some of the idiomatic expression among English speaking Indians range from losing touch, up in the air and backstabbing. While these terms are utilized as expressive phrases in the American culture to illustrate the lost ability to doing something, being high and betrayal respectively they are utilized as a way of justification as well (Finegan, 2014).
The interviewee presented herself rather calmly while exercising patient something that is not present in the contemporary American culture. It is through such values that I observed the primary influence of their native culture. In that individuality is never applied in conversation (Finegan, 2014). Every thought that was raised appeared to be well-thought to illustrate their feelings and beliefs. In addition, most of these ideas were inclusive and communal in that they were not mainly grounded on giving opinions and thoughts that represent shared beliefs. This, therefore, illustrates that they are not driven by the individualistic culture (Hodson, 2014). In addition, the interviewee did not portray the highest degree of confidence while talking which might have been driven by their accent, pronunciation, and uncertainty in regard to certain wordings or combining different phrases effectively. Her interaction was, however, a desirable one that is sympathetic and objective to understand the point that is being delivered. Openness was an aspect that was off in a way from the conversation as the interview demonstrated the tendency to offer shallow thoughts unless prompted. The interviewee appeared to be restraining their expressions and openness in regard to their views. The body language and gestures are aspects that cannot be ignored from the conversation, as the interviewee demonstrated active gestures, and expressions to illustrate what they wished to communicate. Body movement was also active which appears to be a share feature among those sharing the Indian culture. Her language is mainly affected by the social setting and their original language which tends to assert on speech community. This demonstrates the shared features amongst individuals from that dialect.
Interview Transcription
Interviewer:
Interviewee:
Interview Date: 4th December 2017
Interview’s start Time: 1:10 PM
Interview’s End Time: 2: 23 PM
Interview’s location: Coffee cafe
Interview Topic: Dual Cultural experience
Main Interview
Interviewer: Please begin by stating your name in full.
Interviewee:
Interviewer: You year of birth
Interviewee: 1990
Interviewer: Where were you born and raised?
Interviewee: I was born in India, Mumbai and stayed there for close to 10 years before relocating to the United States together with my family for economically motivated reasons.
Interviewer: How many schools have you attended both in India and the United States?
Interviewee: I have only attended four different schools both for my primary high and college education partially because they have proved to be effective and accommodative.
Interviewer: Did you experience any form of segregation during your attendance up to the present?
Interviewee: Definitely, being an Indian in America does not come without challenges and alienation. Close to half of my experiences are characterized by segregation as individuals tend to view me different based on my culture. Part of my segregation was mainly fueled by the fact that I could not speak fluent English which made conversation and interactions for me kind challenging. In all the schools I have attended majority are whites with only a few Indians.
Interviewer: What is your past or present occupation?
Interviewer: I have worked in the past in the food industry but currently I am working as a tutor, playing coaching responsibilities in relation to food production and cookery.
Interviewee: What is your comparison of your current residence in America to your origin country where you were born and raised?
Interviewer: Being born in India was quite an experience to remember. The environment was not only accommodative but it also shaped the person that I am. Most people there are affected by poverty mainly due to the lack of employment and adequate resources to support the growing populace. My current residence is not only favorable but it has also given me the opportunity for growth.
Interviewee: What is the prevalent memory in regard to your birth place setting?
Interviewer: The most dominant memory in regard to the neighborhood in which I was born and raised in India is that everyone was easy to interact with and I was never perceived to be different. Being equal and acquiring the sense of accommodation without struggling to fit is essential for an individual’s psychological and social growth an aspect that I have heard to struggle to achieve in America.
Interviewee: Apart from segregation based on your experience of both cultures (American and Indian) how has that impacted you?
Interviewer: Both cultures have shaped by personality and my ability to interact. Before learning the American culture I was affected socially due to the inability to interact or raise ideas in active conversation. The American culture has taught me the significance of individuality and expressiveness and playing the active role socially something that I am learning quite well during my ‘’PassTime.’’
Interviewee: Do you see these effects as positive or negative based on your experience?
Interviewer: To me I believe that experience both cultures has had rather positive effects to be by improving how I conduct self and how I perceive life.
Interviewee: In what way please?
Interviewer: In that, early I used to struggle in regard language a feature that has evolved with time. I am not an eloquent speaker in reference to English as my English is mainly driven by the British one which differs mainly with the American one but at least I can communicate. The Indian culture mainly emphasizes on communism which has guided my personality by focusing on the wellness of everyone rather than individualism.
Interviewee: So you have not been weighed down by challenges?
Interviewer: In most instances I have felt low but later emerged victorious by learning to exploit goodness in everything.
Interviewee: Describe your experience of dual culture?
Interviewee: My experience has been positive not mainly because of the gains but the challenges presented in merging both cultures. I know you understand a bit.
Interviewer: I do. Thank you so much for your participation and considerations. I appreciate.
Interviewee: Most welcome.
Interviewer: Appreciated.
Conversation Analysis Transcription
Interviewee: The most dominant memory in regard to the neighborhood in which I was born and raised in India is that everyone was easy to interact with and I was never perceived to be different. (Being equal and acquiring the sense of accommodation without struggling to fit is essential for an individual’s psychological and social growth an aspect that I have heard to struggle to achieve in America).
Interviewer: Apart from segregation based on your experience of both cultures (American and Indian) how has that impacted you?
Interviewee: Both cultures have shaped by personality and my ability to interact. Before learning the American culture I was affected socially due to the inability to interact or raise ideas in active conversation. The American culture has taught me the significance of individuality and expressiveness and playing the active role socially something that I am learning quite well during my ‘’PassTime.’’
Interviewer: Do you perceive these effects as positive or negative based on your experience?
Interviewee: To me I believe that experience both cultures has had rather positive effects to be by improving how I conduct self and how I perceive life.
Interviewer: In what way please?
Interviewee: In that, early I used to struggle in regard language a feature that has evolved with time. I am not an eloquent speaker in reference to English as my English is mainly driven by the British one which differs mainly with the American one but at least I can communicate. The Indian culture mainly emphasizes on communism which has guided my personality by focusing on the wellness of everyone rather than individualism.
Interviewer: So you have not been weighed down by challenges?
Interviewee: In most instances I have felt low but later emerged victorious by learning to exploit goodness in everything.
Interviewer: Describe your experience of dual culture?
Interviewee: My experience has been positive not mainly because of the gains but the challenges presented in merging both cultures. I know you understand a bit.
References
Top of Form
Adair, J. (2012). History of the American Indians: Particularly those nations adjoining to the Mississippi. Place of publication not identified: Cambridge University Press.
Deaux, K. (2006). To be an immigrant. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
Finegan, E. (2014). Language: Its Structure and Use. Cengage Learning.
Hodson, J. (2014). Dialect in film and literature. Palgrave Macmillan.
Bottom of Form
