Jerome Berglund (italic)
Christina Chin (plain)
old station
ants around my loafers
at liberty
a familiar stomp
of tap dance
heat and sweat
under the parasol
coconut water
vegetable truck
running interference
running stream
the shrills of naked
native boys
monitoring
the icebox
mowing grass
with a reel mower
helping a friend
relentless positivity
as praxis
the odds
of being part of
the film noir era
silent movies
and the tramp
—————————————————–
trapped in the neon
one of those summer
nights where those
lovely eyes trapped
in the neon won’t
leave your mind
the kind of nights
where a carton of
cigarettes and a
bottle of jack
wouldn’t last
until dawn
loneliness aches like
no other pain as you
approach fifty
the friends have
wives and kids
you have a closet
full of baseball cards
and notes from high
school of what could
have been
echoes of laughter
will take you to hell
before any sleep
can be had
only the sick enjoy
the sickness
a drop of sweat
on a typewriter
years of pain
just like all
the other fools
———————————————-
from the grocery store
there is a sign
on the side of
the road that i
see when i drive
home from the
grocery store
it says drive like
your kids live
around here
when i see that
sign, i hit the gas
all my kids were
aborted
if they are still
around here
someone has
some fucking
explaining to
do
————————————————
booty shorts
the ugliest people
wear the skimpiest
clothes
first day of the heat
and a fat woman has
on booty shorts where
there is no booty
and then of course
i remind myself
the beautiful people
live south of here
the dregs of society
are still up here
present company
included
————————————————–
gave up on me
went to sleep right
as i heard the news
that the pope had
died
i had a dream the
catholic church
couldn’t find a
new one as all
the pedophiles
knew they couldn’t
take the job
i gave up on religion
right about the time
god gave up on me
more than one christian
has asked me to pinpoint
the moment and i always
say probably when one
too many of you decided
being molested was all
part of god’s plan for me
that hard liners know
they never can change
my mind
the thinkers know there
are much easier things
to think about
—————————————————-
an old man approaching death
i believe my left hip is
nothing but arthritis now
i walk with a limp
not the fucking cool
kind but an old man
approaching death
the spanish princess
offered to take a bath
with me
if either of us could
survive the thousands
of miles between us
it would be worth
every cent and ounce
of pain
these are the nights
i finish a bottle or two
and hope it kills the pain
for a few hours of sleep
yet another day of pop
up thunderstorms and
unrelenting heat
and here i thought
the glory years would
have a better feel to
them
instead, i can’t help
but think of my father
and how that sad sack
of shit was always right
J.J. Campbell (1976 – ?) is trapped in suburbia, slowly dying like everyone else. He’s been widely published over the last 30 years, most recently at Misfit Magazine, Disturb the Universe Magazine, The Beatnik Cowboy, Mad Swirl and Yellow Mama. He might have a new book coming out soon, at least that is the rumor. You can find him most days betting on soccer and baseball and whatever other sport he thinks he can hit a big parlay on. He also has a blog, evil delights. (https://evildelights.blogspot.com)
Language and Identity: How Language Shapes Cultural Belonging
Uzbekistan State World Languages University
English First Faculty
Sa`dullayeva Dilshoda Qalandar qizi
Abstract: Language is a fundamental element in shaping personal and collective identity. It serves not only as a tool for communication but also as a carrier of cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. This paper explores the intricate relationship between language and cultural belonging, focusing on how linguistic practices influence a person’s sense of identity within their cultural group. By analyzing sociolinguistic theories, real-life examples, and multilingual contexts, the paper highlights the role language plays in maintaining cultural heritage and community cohesion. The paper also considers the impact of globalization, migration, and language loss on cultural identity, emphasizing how shifts in language use can lead to feelings of displacement or transformation in self-perception. The findings suggest that language is not merely a means of expression, but a core component of cultural belonging that deeply shapes how individuals see themselves and are perceived by others. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for both linguistic and cultural preservation.
Keywords: Language and identity, cultural belonging, multilingualism, language preservation, sociolinguistics, language and culture, bilingualism, language loss, heritage language, linguistic diversity
Language is one of the most defining characteristics of human beings. It is not only a functional tool for communication but also a complex system through which we understand ourselves and the world around us. From the moment we begin to speak, language becomes deeply embedded in our identity—it shapes our thoughts, emotions, and how we interact with others. In many ways, language acts as a mirror, reflecting the culture, history, and values of the community to which we belong.
The study of language and identity is a multidisciplinary field, involving insights from linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Identity itself is not static; it evolves over time and across contexts, and language plays a central role in that evolution. Our accent, vocabulary, and even the way we structure our sentences can signal where we come from, what communities we are part of, and how we see ourselves in relation to the world. This relationship becomes especially complex in multilingual societies, where individuals may switch between languages to navigate different social settings or express different facets of their identity.
Moreover, language can serve as a powerful symbol of cultural resistance and pride. Minority and indigenous communities around the world often struggle to maintain their languages in the face of globalization, assimilation pressures, and linguistic imperialism. In such contexts, language becomes a battleground for identity preservation, where losing a language can mean losing an entire worldview.
In this paper, we aim to explore the profound connection between language and cultural belonging. How does language shape our sense of self? What happens to identity when a language is lost or suppressed? How do multilingual individuals reconcile competing linguistic identities? These questions are at the heart of this inquiry. By examining linguistic theory, case studies, and real-life examples, this paper seeks to understand the vital role of language in the formation, expression, and maintenance of cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.
Language functions as a social identifier, distinguishing individuals based on their linguistic choices, dialects, or accents. People often infer social background, ethnicity, or even educational level based on how someone speaks. For example, in the UK, the difference between Received Pronunciation and regional dialects can signal class distinctions. Similarly, in the United States, African American Vernacular English (AAVE) serves not only as a linguistic system but also as a marker of African American cultural identity.
The choice to speak one language over another in different contexts can signal allegiance, resistance, or adaptation. A person who switches from their heritage language to a dominant societal language may be attempting to integrate, while another may insist on speaking their native tongue to assert cultural pride. These choices are often not just personal, but political. In many cases, marginalized communities have been stigmatized for their language use, leading to internalized shame and efforts to assimilate linguistically. However, reclaiming one’s language can also be a powerful act of cultural affirmation and identity restoration.
Language is the primary vehicle through which cultural knowledge, traditions, and social norms are transmitted across generations. Through everyday conversations, rituals, songs, idioms, and stories, language encodes the values, beliefs, and shared histories of a cultural group. For example, indigenous storytelling practices not only entertain but also serve to teach moral lessons and preserve spiritual beliefs. Oral traditions are especially critical in cultures without a strong written record, making language vital for continuity.
When a language is lost, a vast amount of cultural knowledge can be lost with it—often irreversibly. This loss affects not just vocabulary but also the way people conceptualize the world. Different languages offer unique ways of categorizing time, space, and relationships, and the disappearance of a language can erase these unique worldviews.
Furthermore, cultural ceremonies, naming practices, and kinship terms are often language-specific. Without linguistic fluency, newer generations may lose the ability to fully engage with or even understand their own heritage. Thus, maintaining a language is essential not only for communication but for preserving the soul of a culture.
In multicultural societies, it is increasingly common for individuals to be fluent in more than one language. Multilingualism allows people to participate in different cultural spheres and can contribute to a rich, hybrid identity. For example, children of immigrants often grow up speaking the home language with their family and the dominant language in school and public settings. This duality may lead to a complex sense of belonging, where individuals feel connected to multiple cultures at once. Code-switching—alternating between languages within a conversation—is a common strategy among bilinguals to navigate these layered identities. It can signal cultural affiliation, intimacy, or humor, and is often used to express concepts that do not easily translate between languages.
However, this hybrid identity can also produce internal conflict or external judgment. Some individuals feel “not enough” of either culture, especially when they are not fully fluent in one of their heritage languages. This can lead to what some scholars call “identity limbo,” where people feel culturally unanchored. Educators and communities that support bilingual education and multicultural recognition can help affirm and legitimize these blended identities.
The spread of globalization has had a profound effect on linguistic diversity. Dominant global languages—particularly English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic—are becoming increasingly necessary for economic success, education, and technology. As a result, many speakers of minority languages are abandoning their native tongues in favor of these dominant ones, often under social or economic pressure.
This trend has contributed to what UNESCO calls “language endangerment.” When a language becomes obsolete, its associated culture may follow. Linguists estimate that a language disappears every two weeks, taking with it centuries of cultural expression.
At the same time, globalization also creates new opportunities for language revitalization. Movements across the world—from the revival of Hebrew in Israel to efforts to preserve indigenous languages in North and South America—demonstrate that with intentional policy, community will, and educational support, endangered languages can survive and even thrive.
Digital platforms have also played a key role, allowing marginalized communities to share and promote their languages globally. However, true revitalization must involve everyday use and intergenerational transmission, not just symbolic preservation.
Maori Language Revival (New Zealand): In New Zealand, the Maori people experienced decades of language suppression during colonization. Through grassroots activism, educational reforms (such as Kōhanga Reo language nests), and government recognition, the Maori language has seen a notable revival. This linguistic resurgence has empowered a new generation of Maori to reclaim their identity and culture.
Spanish-English Bilingualism (United States): In the U.S., Hispanic communities navigate between English and Spanish to maintain cultural ties while adapting to American society. Bilingualism in these communities reflects pride in Latinx heritage, but also brings challenges in education and assimilation. “Spanglish,” a hybrid linguistic form, is often used as a cultural bridge.
Inuit Languages in Canada: Efforts to preserve Inuktitut and other Inuit languages involve integrating them into school curriculums and official signage. Language reclamation here is seen as vital to cultural survival and sovereignty.
In conclusion, the intricate relationship between language and identity reveals how language is far more than just a tool for exchanging information. It is a living, dynamic expression of who we are, where we come from, and how we understand our place in the world. Language allows individuals to connect with their cultural roots, transmit traditions, and engage with their community in meaningful ways. It is also a key mechanism through which individuals navigate personal and social identity, especially in multicultural and multilingual environments.
Throughout this paper, we have seen how language acts as both a bridge and a barrier—capable of uniting people through shared heritage and simultaneously excluding others through linguistic differences. The examples of Maori revitalization, bilingualism among Hispanic communities in the U.S., and indigenous preservation efforts all illustrate how language directly influences not only cultural survival but also emotional and psychological well-being.
Yet, the forces of globalization, migration, and cultural assimilation continue to threaten linguistic diversity across the globe. As dominant languages expand, smaller languages—and the identities they support—are pushed to the margins. This calls for intentional action from governments, educators, and communities to preserve and promote linguistic heritage. Investing in language education, supporting mother-tongue instruction, and creating space for minority languages in public discourse are critical steps toward safeguarding identity and inclusion.
Ultimately, language is a repository of memory, identity, and culture. It shapes not only how we express ourselves, but also how we are understood and accepted by others. To protect language is to protect the very essence of cultural belonging. As we move further into a globalized era, acknowledging and preserving the bond between language and identity will be vital to fostering respect, diversity, and human dignity across all societies.
For the first time,
leading my tiny hand,
The teacher who showed me the world as light.
Grab a pen and paper and draw from today
The future is yours,
You said, teacher
You are calling for goodness,
And driving away evil.
You are shining like the sun,
Starting our path towards goals.
Because of you,
I take a step into life,
With you, poetry leads forward.
I am the victim of that flawless walk,
When I aspired to a teacher like you
Azimova Munisa, 9th grade student of school 20, Bukhara city
1) Everything Gonna Be All Right
(or, Trading Body Blows with
the Ghost of Victor Smith)
The night was thick, black and nasty
and my mattress was a raft drifting down
a mighty Mississippi of memory,
a Viking longboat in which my broken
warrior-poet’s form had been placed
and sent downstream through the silver-grey mists
of eternity and on to the far bright shores of my
forefathers and their fathers before them,
only to be turned away from those fearsome
gates for being insufficiently deceased.
And, lately, it seems like I’ve been waking up
in the middle of varying stages of dream-state
at all my former places of residence, feeling around
the bed for some imaginary former spouse
or significant other, freaking out about
being late to some former place of employment
and whatever it is I’m gonna say (this time?)
to placate whichever former employer.
I can’t help but believe if things continue
at this rate, eventually, I’ll bolt awake thinking
I’m late for my first day of kindergarten (though,
hopefully my mother will also be on hand to say,
It’s OK, little man. It’s only Saturday. Go out and play).
And then there’s that recurring one where,
in what some new age, metaphysical,
guided meditation counselor type might
call a deep subterranean cave of me,
some here-to-fore unknown (or merely suspected)
part of me suddenly cracks and snaps off
like a massive icicle or stalactite, morphing
on its way down into another more fully actualized me,
a new and improved me, you could say,
and hits the ground running like Jesse Owens
at the ’36 Olympics.
And let’s just say, for the sake of the poem
(and your, most likely, all-too-brief relationship with it),
that this new and improved me is actually you
and it’s not a slimy or treacherous cave floor
that your feet have found but a cool, rain-slicked street
late at night in some industrial part of town
you don’t recognize.
And just over there to the right,
maybe fifty, sixty feet away at most,
there’s a freight train blowing out
its big, brassy basso profundo
as it slows down to take the curve
and it’s not even an issue of nerve
or wanting it bad enough ‘cause you know
you can make it this time, man,
and you don’t even have a suitcase
or bag or nothing,
but that shit don’t even matter ‘cause everything’s
gonna be different from here on out if you can
just catch that train, man, everything gonna be just fine
if you can just keep runnin’ and sayin’ it
and sayin’ it and sayin’ it:
everything gonna be alright,
everything gonna be alright,
everything gonna be alright,
everything…
2) Wide, Low and Slow
Broke
down
Massy-
Furgeson,
abandoned and left
for dead somewhere out here near what
must be, more or less, the middle of this over-grown
cornfield, smack-dab on the Kansas / Missouri
border, who knows how many years ago,
upon which the scarecrow of an old cracked plaster
mannequin (with straw cowboy hat
and canvas gloves) is
casually
straddled,
as
if
he
were
kickin’
way back and
rolling: wide, low and
slow, down the boulevard of time,
like he aint got a motherfuckin’ care in the world,
and, with there nothing else to do and no where
else to be, who knows, maybe he doesn’t.
3) Old Man with a Cane
Leaning on a Mailbox, by
the Side of the Road
There’s an old man with
a cane, leaning on a mail-
box full of bullet
holes, by the side of
a two-lane highway, and an
18-wheeler is
rounding the curve, just
about a quarter-mile down
the road (coming to
us from Cooper Hill,
Mt. Sterling, Rosebud and parts
unknown (and beyond):
a yellow butter-
fly caught in its grill, a red
balloon tied to the
passenger-side rear-
view mirror, a hawk hanging
on the bright blue wind.
4) 50% off
It was a store that
specialized in used past lives
and even had a
discount bin near the counter
where you could get as much as
50% off somedays.
5) Strange Bright Birds
I
think
about
those women,
sometimes, who fluttered
in and out of my life, every
now and then, like strange, bright birds with the power to stop
my heart, my breathing, my ability to speak
or think, even, the spinning of the
earth, hell, time itself, and I wonder where some of them
are these days, all these years later,
where their lives lead them,
and did some-
one, for
some
of
them
at
least, turn
out to be
the “one” about which
so many movies and novels and
songs are cranked out every year, but what
I guess I mostly think about are all the things
I could have done differently.
Jason Ryberg is the author of twenty-two books of
poetry, six screenplays, a few short stories, a box full
of folders, notebooks and scraps of paper that could
one day be (loosely) construed as a novel, and countless
love letters (never sent). He is currently an artist-in-
residence at both The Prospero Institute of Disquieted
P/o/e/t/i/c/s and the Osage Arts Community, and is an
editor and designer at Spartan Books. His work has
appeared in As it Ought to Be, Up the Staircase Quarterly,
Thimble Literary Magazine, I-70 Review, Main Street Rag,
The Arkansas Review and various other journals and
anthologies. His latest collection of poems is “Bullet Holes
in the Mailbox (Cigarette Burns in the Sheets) Back of the
Class Press, 2024)).” He lives part-time in Kansas City, MO
with a rooster named Little Red and a Billy-goat named
Giuseppe, and part-time somewhere in the Ozarks,
near the Gasconade River, where there are also many
strange and wonderful woodland critters.
Love
I need you, love
I need you, love,
to show me the darkness
of your depth.
The abyss of spirit captivates me…
I need you to call the rains
from my darkest skies;
I will face seizure from the night.
I have waited for your exiled embrace
since the morning winds.
Now, the silence of the moony season
frowns darkly and I am still alone.
Dustin Pickering
USA
In a world where digital skills determine future success, access to quality education is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. My name is Muslima Olimova, a young changemaker from Uzbekistan, and I founded Muslima Academy to create a bridge between global knowledge and ambitious youth, especially girls from Central Asia.
Born and raised in Andijan, I grew up seeing many talented youth who lacked access to resources, mentors, and international opportunities. Despite living in a digital era, many were unaware of online courses, scholarships, or even how to build a strong CV. That’s when I realized that change had to start somewhere—and I chose to be that start.
Muslima Academy is a youth-led educational platform where we offer online courses, career guidance, international certificate programs, and practical tasks that help students build their portfolios. Our mission is clear: empower 10,000+ youth by 2026 with the tools, skills, and global mindset needed for the 21st century.
We offer affordable access to:
Weekly live masterclasses
Scholarship application coaching
CV and motivation letter writing
Public speaking and personal branding
Mentorship and internship opportunities
What makes us unique is our commitment to inclusivity and real-world impact. In just one year, our students have been accepted into global summits, won international competitions, and even launched their own startups.
As a founder, I also work as a community ambassador for Wakelet in Uzbekistan and collaborate with international organizations to bring global education home. The story of Muslima Academy is not just mine—it belongs to every student who dares to dream big.
My dream? That one day, no youth from our region feels left behind in the digital revolution. Muslima Academy is more than an initiative. It’s a movement. And we’re just getting started.
Muslima Olimova is a 17-year-old student of Information Systems and Technologies at Andijan State Technical Institute in Uzbekistan. She is the founder of Muslima Academy, a youth-led initiative that empowers young people — especially girls — through education, digital skills, and access to global opportunities. Muslima is also the Uzbekistan Ambassador for Wakelet, a global educational platform, and her academic and creative work has been published in more than 26 countries. She is passionate about using technology, education, and innovation to uplift communities and inspire the next generation of changemakers.
In a world where women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles and shaping the future, stories like that of Muslima Olimova stand out as powerful examples of courage, vision, and impact. At just 17, Muslima is not only a student of Information Systems and Technologies at Andijan State Technical Institute in Uzbekistan but also the founder of Muslima Academy — an initiative aimed at empowering youth, especially girls, through education, digital skills, and global opportunities.
Muslima Academy was born out of a simple yet powerful belief: access to knowledge and global exposure can change lives. What started as a small educational initiative has now become a dynamic platform for students, freelancers, and aspiring leaders across Uzbekistan and beyond. Through online courses, international certificate programs, grant writing workshops, and mentorship, the Academy has touched the lives of hundreds of young people.
Starting a project as a young girl in Central Asia comes with its share of barriers — from societal expectations to limited resources. Muslima faced skepticism, financial difficulties, and the challenge of balancing her academic life with her entrepreneurial dream. Yet, with resilience and a clear purpose, she turned these challenges into motivation. “I wanted to show that age and gender do not limit what we can achieve,” she says.
Muslima’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. She became the Uzbekistan Ambassador of Wakelet, a UK-based global education platform. Her scientific articles, books, and essays are now published in over 26 countries. She’s also a winner of multiple science Olympiads and startup competitions, proving that young women can lead innovation just as boldly as anyone.
Muslima is currently working on expanding Muslima Academy and launching new projects like EduMingle — a platform that connects youth with real-world tasks, mentors, and portfolio-building opportunities. Her startup ideas combine AI, blockchain, and education to create sustainable solutions for freelance workers and learners.
Through her work, she is building more than platforms — she is building confidence in girls who doubt themselves, opportunity for youth who feel left behind, and hope for communities ready to rise.
Muslima’s journey is not just about personal success. It’s a call to action — to invest in girls, trust their ideas, and create ecosystems where young people can lead change. As she says, “You don’t need to wait to be older, richer, or more experienced to make an impact. You can start now — with a purpose, a laptop, and a dream.”