Immigration and Cultural Diversity

Research Paper
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Introduction
Multiculturalism relies on the concept on the concept of uniqueness and originality for the cultural formations including language. The assumption is a connection exists between culture and racial or ethnic origin. From such a point of view, multiculturalism challenges the idea of universality because it perceives every universal concept as being relative to a particular culture (Buden, 2006). There is no universal culture; however, what is in existence is a plurality of different cultures that are either tolerantly accepting or violently excluding each other. In the literal field, for example, multiculturalism challenges the notion of a global literature (a canon of masterpieces) which according to Goethe articulates in the best way the universality of human nature (Buden, 2006).
Taking a traditional view of language translation, the process here is viewed as a binary process involving two elements of the translation that are an original text in one language and the secondary translation in another language (Buden, 2006). Immigration affects language and translation. This is in consideration of the process of acculturation where assimilation and in this case cultural and language assimilation that occurs due to immigration and affects both parties.
Cultural Translation Problems
In The Joy Luck Club, the narrators the groups of narrators meditate on the lack of ability to translate certain concepts inherent among different cultures another in this case is the American and Chinese culture. Communication barriers are also prevalent between the mothers and their daughters in their narratives. These barriers can be attributed to immigration and acculturation process of the two parties as they were brought up in different settings (Booth, Hunter, & Mays, 2006). For example, although Jing-mei has some Chinese traits, the American influence has predominated hence the misunderstanding. It evident that the daughters have knowledge of some Chinese words an even speaks the canton form of the language and the women including the father can speak some English, successful communication depends on the success of translation. Therefore, misunderstandings of meaning between the two groups create misunderstandings (Booth, Hunter, & Mays, 2006).
From the narrative, translational difficulties are evident where Jing-mei an American immigrant relates her story to the founding of the Joy Luck Club. However, the concept of the club is not easily translated using English terms that she later realizes (Booth, Hunter, & Mays, 2006). However, from the Chinese perspective the concept is logical, and the club viewed as relevant as her aunt even goes to consult them on how to reply the letter that was also a source of conflict due to the cultural differences. Inferentially, in the Chinese culture it was okay not to inform an individual of a loved one’s death through a letter....