Language= barrior/preservation of past

"Images of the past embodied in language"
"Old language is a barrier to modern progress"

I am unsure whether I believe the importance of language is the history behind it or instead if the past languages serve as a barrier. When I look at our society today, we are clearly and English speaking society. But how many of us are actually from an English background? Most of our history has consisted of immigrants assimilating into the American society. Therefore they give up their “old language” in order to communicate with the “new” people. However this is not to say that the people give up all their traditions and are transformed into “model” Americans. English is spoken in different ways throughout the country and your personal accent shows your own past. Take me for example; I am from Long Island, NY. Every time I mention where my home is I get the response “Oh I could tell by your accent.” It is as though my speech is a dead giveaway for my past. But on the other hand, my past and my heritage are Italian. However, Italian was lost over the generations in order for my family to move forward with society. As a result I speak “Long Island” and not simply English. The “old language” is no longer present but my language still “embodies images of the past.” I cannot decide which quote I agree more with because I am living proof that both the past and new languages are important for an individual.