Analysis Of Among Strangers By Jude Dibia - 1183 Words

The word â€Å"culture† can often be mistaken as geographical ways of living such as food, clothing, etc. However, culture is not only ways of living in different places, it is valuable practices that are passed on for years and years in a civilization. Language, government, morals, knowledge, religion, and food are all different components of one’s culture. Different cultures can be found in places ranging from large communities, to families, to the inner self of a person. In One World: A Global Anthology of Short Stories, many of the short stories, including â€Å"Among Strangers†, â€Å"Growing My Hair Again† and â€Å"The Third and Final Continent† exemplify the importance of culture. â€Å"Among Strangers†, a short story written by Jude Dibia, depicts just how critical language, one of the most important aspects of culture, is to a one’s life. It tells about a Nigerian boy who lives with a family who often speaks their native languages; both of which, he is not familiar with. The narrator states My father spoke only English when he was at home with us because he believed strongly that his child should be well educated and must learn to speak English the Queen’s way. No vernacular was permitted at home whatsoever (Dibia 106). Although the narrator’s parents are keeping him from learning or speaking their native languages, which is what most of his family members speak, in order to stabilize his English proficiency, there are many negative effects of doing so. The narrator constantly feels