Summary of Sociocultural Perspectives on Second Language Writing Essays

Summary of Sociocultural Perspectives on Second Language Writing Essays Summary of Sociocultural Perspectives on Second Language Writing Essay Summary of Sociocultural Perspectives on Second Language Writing Essay The sociocultural perspective on writing explains how culture, as a central factor in teaching becomes its core and soul. Language teachers, equipped by their own cultural influences, can bend something according to their own interpretation. Thus, writing is a form of constructing one’s identity – it doesn’t transmit ideas alone, rather it defines the writer itself. However there are things that will define and enhance the personality, development, and uniqueness of a writer. Writers use linguistics and cultural tools to create a construct of themselves. They make use of concepts, words or any means of communications that will define how relate to the things around them. Each individual has his own distinct position as a writer. In the example cited about the classroom dialogue, is a proof that even can articulate well on their own views, in their own ways. Second language writing can be a strong factor in constructing an identity. As argued, â€Å"context in turn constructs the writer.† Given a wider array of topics wherein one must write about, the writer can explore his wits and be devoid of the polarization that writing about one-dimensional perspective on one’s culture can create. Removing topic restrictions in writing for students can help in reforming identities for the writer. It gives one, the ability to explore on bigger things, expand knowledge, go through challenges that will mold a new identity construct. As such, culture, social identity and self are vague concepts. Yet the concept has itself an important role in second language learning. These concepts become a factor in the student’s learning in such a way that they increase their capacity to dictate the flow in their written discourse whenever they have the full understanding of the contexts that they are engaged with. It also equips them the ability to reach through ideas that are not common to them, extending their horizons to other’s culture is a rich experience. In this view, second language writers become â€Å"border crossers† because they are not just extending their knowledge onto their own self, but as well as others perceptions. And this shall mean, that they are becoming richer in knowledge, exploring wide cultural and linguistic possibilities. The Puerto Rican Influence During the 19th century, Romanticism movement widely influenced the Puerto Rican literature. This era was a rise of patriotic writings which ignited the revolt in 1868. Prompting the revolution, in 1869, the Americans took over Puerto Rico, which at first were welcomed by the people thinking they would gain their independence. But failure to gain independence from the Americans had once again fueled patriotic writers who continued writing poetries of disapproval. This take over pushed Puerto Ricans to United States. However, they were able to maintain their cultural identity. In their migration to US, they inhabited a large part of New York City. Here, they continued pursuing their heritage. Though they have faced racial discrimination, they formed a sub-culture Nuyorican Movement. The Nuyorican Movement was comprised of Puerto Rican novelists, essayists and poets living in New York. This was a result of these people who were trying really hard to maintain their culture even if they were living in a foreign land. (Gray) Amidst the pressure of the city, the Puerto Ricans managed to keep their self-identity. They have maintained the culture, the language and the heritage. That most of the Puerto Rican writers have pursued with their works in order to provide continuity for their rich culture, is the main reason why Puerto Ricans have embedded their influence upon the Americans. Their refusal to succumb to the environment and give up their lineage was one thing that kept them abreast with their culture (Garcia). The Puerto Ricans social network has remained closely knitted despite being pushed to a different homeland. They have not secluded their culture, instead, they continued to uphold their culture and traditions. In this way, they were able to share their culture and in the process influence the people around them. And having a rich culture in writing, they were able to reach foreign culture. And until this era, their culture still shows the effect that they had in American literature.