Project 3 Paragraph Analysis (Four Modes)

Bliumis, Alina and Jeff. Language Barrier Project.2008.Patel News Stand, New York. 4 Nov 2008.

The Language Barrier Project is a work of art made by Alina and Jeff Bliumis in Lower Manhattan, New York. It is an installation of bridges made out of colorful foam dictionaries in five places in Manhattan. The site-specific installation engages issues of immigration, assimilation and alienation among the various diasporic communities of lower Manhattan. The audience for this image is people from ages 8 to 50, both male and female, and with any type of education. The main argument of the image is that different immigrant communities struggle with communication, adaptation, and social reorganization, with the purpose of persuading agencies to provide translation for foreign immigrants. The ethos presented in this project is the fact that translation needs to be provided to the immigrants. Pathos are presented when underlining the fragility of communication, the construction of language, and our needs for translation. Finally, the logos are presented when making visible our daily struggles with barriers, not just language ones, but social ones as well.



Spanglish. Dir. James L. Brooks. Perf. Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni. 2004.

The movie Spanglish, is a movie directed by James L. Brooks that talks about the struggles of language in the Hispanic community in the United States. The audience for this movie can be said to be for people from ages 16 to 60, both for males and females. This movie presents the case of a single- parent woman that moved from Mexico to the United States to have a better life, and to provide a better future for her daughter. Even tough this woman has been living the United States for several years and her daughter is bi-lingual, she has just learned a dozen of English words. The purpose of this movie is to let people know that there are many families like the one in this movie that are having a difficult time with the language of English even though parents have lived in the United States for several years and their children are bi-lingual. The ethos in this movie are presented by the fact that you have to value your heritage no matter where you are. Pathos are presented when examining the culture and social classes between impoverished Mexican-Americans and privileged European Americans. Finally, the logos are presented with the fact of foreign immigrant’s struggles with language.



MacDonald, Margaret R. Tell the World: Storytelling Across Language Barriers,United States: Libraries Untltd. Inc, 2007.

Written by Margaret Read McDonald, the book Tell the World: Storytelling Across Language Barriers is a book that reflects issues with the language in storytellers who cannot share stories with other audiences that speak another language other than English. This book is clearly involved with the issue of language barriers. The audience for this book can be people aged from 6 to 30 years, with little or no English language skills, both for make and females. The purpose of this book is to bridge the language gap of storytellers, and providing them with the necessary tools so they can be successful at telling stories to other audiences that speak a different language. The ethos presented in this book is to have respect for other cultures, histories, and languages of others. Pathos are presented when saying that this books is “an indispensable guide for those wanting to share stories with audiences who speak another language.” This quote is clearly opinion-based. Finally, the logos presented in this book is for humans to find ways to connect across language barriers.



Cheech and Chong. "Born and Raised in East L.A." Get out of my Room. USA, 1985.

Performed by Cheech Marin & Tommy Chong, the song Born in East L.A. is a song with a strong relationship with the issue of language barriers. This song is included in the album Get out of my room. The audience for this song can be said to be for people from ages 15 to 50, both for males and females. This song presents the case of a Hispanic who was born in East Los Angeles, but that was treated as a foreign when going to a corner store. The main problem presented in this song is that immigrants are often treated badly, because they often do not know how to speak English and communicate efficiently. The purpose of this song is to let others know that even though some people are born in the United States, but have a Hispanic descent, they are not treated with respect. The ethos of this song are presented by the fact that no matter where you were born, what is your race, and what language do you speak you should treat others with respect and value their heritage. Pathos are presented when the person born in L.A. is treated badly by an individual, and being discriminated. This situation appeals to our emotions, because it enhances the argument that Hispanics are often discriminated even though they were born in the United States. Finally, the logos in this song are presented with the fact that the language barriers, and mostly discrimination still exists in the United States.