Tuesday's Tip for Language Learning #14: Brainscape - Ego Boundaries

 


Excerpt from Think Yourself into Becoming a Language Learning Super Star

Brainscape: Ego Boundaries

Ego Boundaries

Ego boundaries, also called boundaries of the mind (Hartmann, 1991), refer to someone’s willingness to let someone into his or her inner circle and reflect the ego’s function of distinguishing between self and non-self (i.e. someone else). When that someone else comes from another culture, the ego boundaries of a language learner (or anyone) between self and the “other” can be either thick or think. Thick boundaries make it difficult for an individual to assimilate into another culture. Thin (permeable) boundaries make assimilation much easier. These differences are also called strong and weak ego boundaries.

 

Defining ego boundaries

Every learner has a barrier between “self” and “other.” This is normal; this is healthy. When the boundaries are very thick, however, they do not allow the learner to build a relationship with a native speaker from the culture of the language being studied. The barrier between them is too thick, too strong. Thin boundaries are generally viewed as more favorable for developing the kinds of foreign relationships needed for the development of good intercultural relationships.

Here are some examples of ego boundaries:

·       You do not like the taste of nearly any food in the foreign country or in your home country made by ex-pats of the country whose language you are speaking;

·       You do not like being touched by a native speaker, even casually, and you certainly could not walk arm-in-arm with someone from your gender though that is the custom in the country you are studying; and/or

·       If you are in a study abroad program, you look forward the diurnal ending of the daily required activities that require mixing in with native speakers.

ego boundary = barrier between self and other

Managing thick ego boundaries

Managing or overcoming ego boundaries, or, using another image, thinning your boundary, can be accomplished by anyone. Those with thin boundaries need no further thinning but to just leave the minimal barriers in place for safety. Too-thin boundaries blur the distinction between self and “other,” which is not good. Most activities associated with managing ego boundaries require interacting some way with the target population or culture.

Here are some ways to develop thinner boundaries:

·       Spend a lot of time in-country and become actively involved with native speakers there; since familiarity breeds discontent, over time, you will find yourself comfortable with your foreign counterparts; and/or

·       Develop a personal friendship with someone from the culture you are studying; it will improve your language skills and thin your ego boundaries. 

familiarity = comfort level

Tear down ego walls between you and your foreign counterpart for more natural language learning success!

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