Essay: Exploring Identity in 'Hello My Name Is ____' by Jason Kim

This essay examines the multifaceted nature of personal identity, drawing upon Jason Kim's narrative, 'Hello My Name Is ____,' as a central case study. The essay delves into the core question of whether an individual's identity is mutable or fixed, exploring the influences of cultural shifts, linguistic adaptation, and religious beliefs on self-perception. It analyzes how Kim's experiences as an immigrant shape his identity, including the adoption of a new name and the challenges of integrating into a new culture. The essay also incorporates research from various sources to support the argument that changes in language, culture, and religion significantly impact an individual's identity, highlighting the dynamic interplay between internal self-concept and external environmental factors. The essay references academic sources to support the argument that identity is not static but is continually shaped by experiences and surroundings, providing a comprehensive analysis of identity formation and transformation.

Running head: A PERSON’S IDENTITY
A PERSON’S IDENTITY
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1A PERSON’S IDENTITY
Identity can be defined as the quality, personality, expression or looks that an individual
or group tends to have. However, it can be said that identity can be changed or altered over time
wih experiences gained. It can be said that the person’s identity can be changed by changing the
culture or the environment in which one stays and through the change of the language and
religion as well.
The identity of an individual tends to get shaped through the experiences which they tend
to acquire. One of the most significant elements which help in the growth of the individual’s.
The manner in which an individual tends to connect themselves with the practices of the culture,
as well as the surrounding significantly, tends to affect the way pone tends to feel about
themselves. One’s identity is significantly affected when the surroundings tend to get interrupted
or even changed into something very new. When individuals tend to face situations or even
environments which do not accept them, the individuals tend to change or even adapt themselves
with the new environment or situation in order to survive both physically and mentally.
However, one does not feel the necessity to change when one’s culture or identity is being
accepted. On the other hand, it is to be noted that the culture is often connected with linguistic
identity as well as both of them tend to go hand in hand. Both culture and language tend to create
a safer place for a person. However, when the environment as well the culture and the language
which an individual tend st speak in changes, the notion of having a safer home also tends to
change. An article which is written by Nicola Prentis, she examines the fact that an indidviauls’s
identity and personality tends to alter when an individual tends to speak in a different language.
Since the variety of languages are connected with a variety of cultures, communicating in a
different tone makes an individual observe things through a new lens of culture. It is being
observed when the Mexican Americans were asked to write in Spanish, they conversed about

2A PERSON’S IDENTITY
their family life. On the other hand, when they were asked to communicate in English, they
spoke mainly about their success and the achievements which they have gained. . This clearly
indicates that language which is very well wrapped under the form of the culture tends to affect
the way individuals tends to see their lives. However, that religion plays a great role in the
creation of the identity of an individual. However, it is being observed that these views or
opinions tend to change completely with the guidelines and history of a particular religion.
Religion is very much connected to one’s culture, and those practices can intermingle. In most
of the situations, the holy book which is connected with a particular religion tends to provide a
set of instructions and interpretations which are being followed by people who tend to practice it.
This mainly has a great impact on the identity of an individual. On the other hand, for those who
are not religious tends to have a great sense of inquisitiveness to find out the scientific answers to
worldwide inquiries. It also makes them create their ethics and philosophies of their own.
Thus, the conclusion that can be made is that the religion, culture and language tend to
have a great impact on the identity of an individual. These are considered to be significant
elements that tend to change the outlook or identity of one’s self. It is without these elements or
the change of these elements, the identity of an individual tends to be very different.

3A PERSON’S IDENTITY
References
Cook, T. (2013). Evidence, memory, identity, and community: four shifting archival
paradigms. Archival science, 13(2-3), 95-120.
Margulies, J. (2013). What changed when everything changed: 9/11 and the making of national
identity. Yale University Press.
Sait, C. (2015). “This journey has definitely changed me”: An ethnographic narrative exploring
disabled peoples’ lives through embodied experiences and identity negotiation.
Shoemaker, D., & Tobia, K. P. (2018). Personal identity.