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. 

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

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.

 

References

1. Fishman, J. A. (1999). Handbook of Language & Ethnic Identity. Oxford University Press.
2. Kramsch, C. (1998). Language and Culture. Oxford University Press.
3. Norton, B. (2013). Identity and Language Learning: Extending the Conversation. Multilingual Matters.
4. Edwards, J. (2009). Language and Identity: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.
5. Crystal, D. (2000). Language Death. Cambridge University Press.
6. UNESCO. (2023). Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. unesco.org

—————————————————–

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)

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

理性  

是否每个人心中的指挥官  

总是指向清晰的正义之路，  

仅由无形的良知北极星所指引？  

有时，自私的黑色磁石  

牵引着指挥官冷静的目光，  

引他走向扭曲的十字路口；  

有时，仇恨与嫉妒的绯红迷雾  

遮蔽了指挥官清澈的双眼。  

在我的大学时代，  

当疾病如烈焰般爆发，  

我多次跨过黑暗的门槛；  

抑郁的惊涛骇浪  

将指挥官推下无尽的悬崖。  

啊，神圣的造物主，  

愿你所立的这位静默船长的心  

永远如夜空的星辰一般闪耀，  

不被病态自我的黑暗玷污划伤。  

在生命的狂风暴雨中，  

将他牢牢锚定在正义的基石上。

Reason

Does the commander in everyone’s heart

Always point to a clear and righteous path,

Solely guided by the invisible North Star of conscience?

At times, the black magnet of selfishness

Draws the commander’s calm gaze,

Leading him down twisted crossroads.

At times, the crimson mist of hatred and envy

Clouds the commander’s clear eyes.

During my college years,

When the disease flared like a fierce flame,

I crossed the threshold of darkness many times;

The fierce waves of depression

Pushed the commander off the endless cliff.

O divine architect,

Let the heart of this quiet captain You have established

Always shine like the stars of the night sky,

Untainted and unscarred by the darkness of a sickened self.

In the fierce storms of life,

Secure him firmly to the anchor of justice.

Wansoo Kim (1954) achieved Ph. D. in English Literature from the graduate school of Hanguk University of Foreign Studies. He has published eight poetry books. One poetry book, “Duel among a middle-aged fox, a wild dog and a deer” was a bestseller in 2012. He won the World Peace Literature Prize for Poetry Research and Recitation, presented in New York City at the 5th World Congress of Poets(2004). He published poetry books, “Prescription of Civilization” and “Flowers of Thankfulness“ in America.(2019), received Geum-Chan Hwang Poetry Literature Prize in Korea(2019) and International Indian Award(literature) from WEWU(World English Writer’s Union)(2019). He published “Heart of God” in America(2020). He published an autobiography book, “Secrets and Fruits of Mission” and a poetry book, “Flowers of Gratitude”(2021). He received India’s Independence Day Literary Honors 2021”(2021). He published the Chinese version of his ebook, “Heart of God,” which reached Amazon bestseller #1(2022). He published poetry books, “Captive of Crazy Love.”(2023) and “Teachings of Mother Nature(2024).

Lightning Blossom

When I quietly close my eyes in prayer

Or stroll through the morning forest catching my breath,

Suddenly, a bud of lightning

Blooms in the sky of my heart.

That flower becomes a spring of poetry,

Whispering a new song

Or gently untangling

The knotted threads of my troubles.

A thrilling ripple striking my heart—

Perhaps it is

A shining jewel placed in my heart

By the Master of the universe who breathes wisdom.

This jewel, flown in on a beam of light,

Is a warm proof

That He lives and loves me.

May this mysterious gift dwell often,

Let me pray daily with a burning heart,

And may the jewels He has poured out

Shine for His joy and glory.

Even when the gift hesitates,

I quietly hold in my heart

The mysterious melody

That my beloved will someday sing.

Spirit

The spirit dwelling deep within the body

Hears a whispering voice above the clouds.

The soul breathing alongside the spirit

Is an antenna catching the world’s vibrations.

The soul listens to city noise and crowd murmurs,

The body sways to soft whispers of instinct’s temptations,

So the spirit often misses the Creator’s gentle breath.

Amid the whirlpool of desires stirred by soul and body,

My spirit firmly grasps

The Creator’s shining shield and sword,

And cautiously feels along the path

Opened by the grace and wisdom flowing from His spring.

O Almighty, who fills all things with light,

Do not leave my spirit to its wavering choices,

But guide my spirit with Your hand,

Illuminating the way with a quiet light,

That I may follow wholeheartedly every day.

Embrace my spirit, trembling with unrest,

In Your warm arms like morning sunlight,

And fill it abundantly

With waves of laughter that seep deep within the heart,

And with the hope of sprouts blossoming toward tomorrow.

Conscience

Every time a wicked thought passes,

In the dark forest of my heart,

A chilling blade grazes the flesh,

Passing like a flash of lightning.

Dark clouds gather and weigh upon my mind.

The river within my heart

Is tossed about like a raft in a storm.

Invisible whispers

Come like a gentle breeze

And illuminate the shining path.

The One who quietly guides from above

Is the lighthouse of the soul,

Shining upon us in the dark, a star that guides to truth.

Wandering the alleys of online political news,

As comments overflow with lies and hatred,

My heart is crushed like a heavy stone,

And my pulse leaps erratically like a cricket.

Even amid the flood of evil falsehoods,

With eyes clear as spring water, beholding the truth,

Let me walk according to the will

Of the Creator of all things.

With drops of prayer,

May I cleanse the lighthouse of my soul.

Wansoo Kim achieved Ph. D. in English Literature from the graduate school of Hanguk University of Foreign Studies. He has published 8 poetry books. One poetry book, “Duel among a middle-aged fox, a wild dog and a deer” was a bestseller in 2012. He won the World Peace Literature Prize for Poetry Research and Recitation, presented in New York City at the 5^th World Congress of Poets(2004). He published poetry books, “Prescription of Civilization” and “Flowers of Thankfulness“ in America.(2019), received Geum-Chan Hwang Poetry Literature Prize in Korea(2019) and International Indian Award(literature) from WEWU(World English Writer’s Union)(2019). He published “Heart of God” in America(2020). He published an autobiography book, “Secrets and Fruits of Mission” and a poetry book, “Flowers of Gratitude”(2021). He received India’s Independence Day Literary Honors 2021”(2021). He published the Chinese version of his ebook, “Heart of God,” which reached Amazon bestseller #1(2022). He published poetry books, “Captive of Crazy Love.”(2023) and “Teachings of Mother Nature(2024).