A Reflection on Immigration, Language, and Identity in Contemporary Immigrant Literature
Overview
This reflection examines Melissa Lee's article 'Welcoming the Other' and its analysis of three contemporary novels exploring immigrant experiences. The paper discusses how language barriers, identity struggles, and rejection within immigrant communities shape the immigrant experience and challenges the American Dream narrative.
What this reflection paper covers
- Introduction to three novels and immigrant themes of identity and homeland displacement
- Discussion of language barriers and Derrida's concept of violence in translation and communication
- Analysis of host-guest relationships between new and established immigrants from same backgrounds
- Examination of the 'Add oil machine' exhibition and Mandarin language promotion debate
Preview
A Reflection on A Combination of Melissa's Writings
The article "Welcoming the Other" by Melissa Lee introduces three novels, A Free Life (2007) and A Map of Betrayal (2014), and For Today I Am a Boy (2014). The books tell three different stories exploring the relationship between the homeland, new country, home, and individual and the lack of identity of these foreigners. Language barriers and how to break down their previous emotions and perceptions and reinvent themselves as new individuals are significant challenges experienced by immigrants.
Another challenge is rejection in immigrant communities with the same background and culture where old immigrants reject newcomers. This is perceived as a refusal to utilize their native language to communicate with newcomers. "The refusal to speak in the visitor's language is where Derrida concludes that violence — the first violence — begins, in which we impose on the visitor translation into the host's language, where we demand that the foreigner "claim his rights in a language he does not speak" before being able to "welcome him into our country" (163).
Differences in language and identity make immigrants from the same country a host-guest relationship. Only when new immigrants become the new government's citizens and speak English do they recognize their fellow countrymen. Although they have worked hard to achieve personal success in the new country, the so-called American dream does not bring them value, recognition, and satisfaction. Still, after a short visit to their homeland, they feel the cultural difference between themselves and their old family.