The Complexity in Identity: Critical Analysis on Speaking in Tongues and The Danger of a Single Story

The articles 'Speaking in Tongues' and 'The Danger of a Single Story' discuss the complexity of identity and how a single story can be dangerous. 'Speaking in Tongues' explores the concept of multi-voiced individuals and how voice is built from one's background. 'The Danger of a Single Story' explains the problem with listening to a single-sided story and how it can lead to incomplete information and judgments.

1 | P a g e
Speaking in tongues
Introduction
The first article is about “speaking in tongues” by Zadie Smith. This article typically depicts
the way how an individual speaks different language and voices. From author point of view
there is a difference of using one voice tine while speaking and changing multiple tones.
Discussion
She stated that her vice has changed from childhood to her adulthood. She communicated in
English language that was understood by everyone but changes the voice she used to use in
her childhood. In the article author said herself as a single voice tone person but it reality she
is a multi-voiced individual (Adichie, 2015). Voice of a person is built from the background
he/she is bring up or surrounded by. The article also describes about black and white voice by
considering the case of Obama, as her mother was white and father was black. He came from
two different cultures and can be said as a many voiced man. Voice of a person makes them a
single identity instead of being categorized on the basis of race and colour.
Example- One of the example is Christian knowledge that is experienced by people in
church. Speaking in tongues means praying silently with spirit irrespective of their language.
People can prayer in any language and can belong to any culture they just need to convey
their message. In temples anyone can go and pray irrespective of their caste and colour. The
example of Obama can be discussed, he came from two different cultures and can be said as a
many voiced man. Voice of a person makes them a single identity instead of being
categorized on the basis of race and colour.

2 | P a g e
Conclusion
She concluded that to get a better understanding is by identifying how people think about
identity (Amizade, 2017). This meant that because she tried to adopt old and new voices will
help unify her to be one “voice.”
The danger of a single story
Introduction
The second article is about “The danger of a single story “ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. In
the article she explains about the problem that is faced by listening to the single sided story.
Single sided story might be true but they are generally incomplete.
Discussion
She stated that she learnt writing and reading at initial stage, she knew about new
experiences like frolicking in snow just because she read in the books (Smith, 2016). When
she went for higher studies to America her roommates did not believe that she could speak
English so fluently. Her roommate was shocked as she listed single story of Africa that states
that Africans are quite different and there is no possibility of connection with them. On the
other hand, her roommate was surprised to see the ways she spoke English, knows how to use
stove and listens to Mariah Carey music instead of Tribal music. Thus, from the author’s
point of view it can be said that people judge after listening or knowing single sided story as
it just tells about one dimension perspective (Zadie, 2017).
Example- It is true that people take actions and response to the reaction by just listening to a
single sided story. The identity of some nations like America md Africa are fixed in the mind
of people and they consider all the people out there with the similar mind set. They don’t wait
to listen to other sided story. This situation was faced by author as she as from Africa so her
roommate thought that even should would be illiterate and poor. On the other hand, this was
not true as assumptions were made only by listening one sided story.

3 | P a g e
Conclusion
It is found that when people think of Africa they link it will uneducated people, helpless,
hopeless, below poverty line, unable to speak and violence all around. This is a single story
of Africa the other stories covers about the people like Chimamanda Adichie that explains
who similar Africans are with others. It gives a simple and directive way so that sensitive and
narrative way of story is understood.

4 | P a g e
References
Adichie. C, (2015), The Danger of a Single Story. Borough of Manhattan Community
College City University of New York English Department.
Amizade. (2017). Africa: The Danger of a Single Story. Retrieved from
https://amizade.org/danger-of-a-single-story/.
Smith. S,(2016) SPEAKING IN TONGUES1. Borough of Manhattan Community College
City University of New York English Department.
Zadie.. S. (2017). The Complexity in Identity: Critical Analysis on Speaking in Tongues.
Retrieved from https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/joannelin/?page_id=17.