Week 5: Can you hear me now?

Throughout the novel, I questioned to what extent language and linguistics play in drawling the line between Sudanese and American culture. In Chapter 20, Captain Secret discourages the use of English: “and a few of you are becoming proficient. I need to warn you, though, that this does not mean you can use your English to speak to any of the aid workers here.” This is meant to discourage the use of English as a means of identifying or assimilating into American culture. The quote, from an authoritative animator, is one of many linguistic strands that helps reinforce the divide between the Sudanese and American cultures. The binary between speaking and not speaking English illustrates the cultural ambivalence Valentino experiences in his novel. As I mention in my blog of week four, the Sudanese lost boy was ambivalently torn between a new life in America (i.e., English) and wanting to return to Sudan (i.e., Sudanese culture). This conflict here echoes Valentino’s conflict. At one point in the novel, he is at community college wanting to learn the American standard variety English, or rather American culture. But, he’s also been warned not to use the language. Therefore, English becomes as sign of assimilation and American identity. As Valentino makes efforts to learn the language or resents Tabitha’s Americanized popular culture lexicon, he can visualize just much he has assimilated or how distant he still is from American culture. Additionally, he also mentions via thought that his Christian neighbors don’t understand what he is saying. This, too, also emphasizes a distinct ethnic, linguistic, and even religious background. It makes explicit ethnic diversity. Language contributes significantly to one’s identity, thus it’s necessary to incorporate a linguistic binary, and have others not listen or understand Valentino because of it such as the Christian neighbors or T.V. boy. Yes, they are his thoughts, but what is highlighted is that they don’t understand Valentino.