Effect of Immigration on Culture and Language

Abstract             Fundamental in the evolution and development of a society is the cultural heritage and language cogently bonded to form a distinct and homogenous cultural and social identity. Yet, every society ideally visioning a homogenous, distinct and unmixed with other cultures is somehow a defect or dislocation of consciousness in correspondence to the reality outside. The influx of immigrants originating from different countries brought a significant failure to the ideal vision of homogenized and distinct culture of the host society. The affluence of diverse culture and language established a basic and eternal debate on cultural and linguistic allusions. This study seeks to identify major effects and concurrent solutions on both the cultural and linguistic paradigms. Using cultural and linguistic methods of analysis, invoking both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and using three dimensional designs of survey method, focus interview, and focus group discussion the study aims to accomplish its purpose. Introduction In search for "greener pasture" is the basic raison d'être of all immigrants residing in developing countries like US and parts of Europe. Although, the primary motivation of immigrants is economics, unconsciously, they are facing consequences which may not be easy to deal with. These are in terms of the cultural and language barriers which established racial slur and discrimination among minorities of the host country. Moreover, previous researches offer various recommendations and analyses about immigration based on empirical, exploratory, case, and descriptive studies from different realms of discipline. Quite fascinating is the fact that few are interested to dig deeply on the sociological and linguistic strands about the effect of immigration on culture and language. Hence, this study would give an in-depth descriptive and analytical discourse on the issue being raise. Background  Orozco contends that analytically speaking, it is useful to differentiate two spheres of culture namely instrumental culture and expressive culture. By instrumental culture it refers to skills, competencies, and social behavior while expressive culture means values, worldviews and the patterning of interpersonal relations that give meaning and sustain the sense of self. He further underscores that globalization is stimulating a worldwide convergence in the skills that are needed to function in today's economy. Immigration for many parents represents nothing more, and nothing less, than the opportunity to offer children access to education and be skilled individuals. There is an argument raised by Perry and Schwartz that cultural homogeneity is necessary for the stability of a democratic society. Under this footing, Habermas contends that immigrants should adapt to the culture of the host society where they are immersed. This footnote of Habermas supported by Michael Walzer which claims that the production of a complex unique culture is a basic part of democratic society, and that it is legitimate for the state to protect its culture by disallowing the influx of minorities. However, many are in disagreement with this forceful and racial contention because of the belief which Rawls and Dworkin advocated that commitment to individual autonomy requires liberal states to be neutral with respect to different cultures. Objectives             The primary goal of this paper is to further dissect the elemental effects of immigration on language and culture. In order to unearth significant cultural and linguistic strands, the need of asking how important this study is conjures an analytical thinking and rigorous evaluation of data and information. Statement of the Problem             This study seeks to answer the questions: What are the negative and positive effects of immigration on culture and language? And How these effects contributes to the development and progress of culture and language of host society? Methodology             This study will use the cultural and linguistic methods in order to fully understand the strands of cultural and language elements in this phenomenon. By using qualitative and quantitative approaches will help accomplish the purpose of the study. It implies the use of three instruments: survey method, focus group discussion, and key informant interviews.