In his essay “Death by Monoculture,” Stephen Pax Leonard discusses the devastating impact that consumerism and globalization are having on linguistic diversity around the world. According to Leonard, technology and varying forms of communication play a significant role in the disappearance of minority languages and cultures.

For this blog response, I would like you to think about chapters 1 and 2 of The Namesake, paying particular attention to the themes of communication and language. Consider how Ashima and Ashoke communicate with one another (the language they use or don’t use, etc.), how they communicate with people in American society (while in the hospital, their comfort with English, American communication standards, etc.), and how they communicate with family members back home in India. Then, respond to the following questions in your post, forming a coherent paragraph:

1. In what ways does the role of communication in these first two chapters of The Namesake (particularly in chapter 2) reveal Ashima and/or Ashoke’s assimilation into American society or, conversely, their resistance to assimilate?
2. Overall, do you agree with Leonard that globalization and consumerism are threatening minority languages and cultures? And, if so, do you agree that, as global citizens, we should fight to save minority languages/cultures? Why or why not?

Post your response before class time on Thursday, 3/21. Review the “Blog Response Evaluation Criteria” on BB > Assignments > Globalization HW Assignments to be sure that you are meeting the expectations of the assignment.