(Summary at the bottom)

 

As we continue AANHPI Heritage Month, this week we focus on how culture is expressed and experienced in everyday life – through food and language. Both play a big role in shaping identity, community and belonging while also reflecting broader social attitudes and challenges.

Food: Culture and Respect

 

Food is often one of the most visible expressions of culture. Across Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, food carries history, tradition and memory – often passed down through generations. 

 

At the same time, the way AANHPI food is treated reflects larger patterns of disrespect and inequality. Many communities have experienced their food being labeled as “strange”, “unusual”, “smelly” or even mocked, especially in school and social environments. Yet those same foods are often later embraced, rebranded or commercialised without proper recognition of their cultural origins or people behind them. 

 

This raises questions of food justice – who gets to define what is accepted, who benefits when cultural foods become popular and whether the communities connected to those foods are given the same respect and visibility.

 

Dishes like Kimchi (Korea), Pho (Vietnam), Biryani (South Asia), Poke (Hawai’i) and drinks like Boba (Taiwan) or Mango Lassi (Punjab) have gained global popularity. However, the communities they come from have historically faced discrimination, exclusion or pressure to assimilate. This contrast highlights how culture can be celebrated in fragments, while the people behind it are overlooked.

 

Understanding food in this way means looking beyond trends and recognizing it as a meaningful part of identity, history and lived experience.

Language and Code-Switching

 

Language is deeply connected to identity, culture and belonging. Many AANHPI individuals grow up navigating multiple languages – speaking one language at home and another in public or professional spaces.

 

This often leads to code-switching, which is the ability to shift between languages, accents or ways of speaking depending on the environment. While this can be a valuable and useful skill, it also reflects the pressure to adapt or fit into different social expectations. 

 

In many families, younger generations take on the role of translators, helping parents or relatives navigate systems such as schools, healthcare or government services. At the same time, some individuals experience language loss over generations, which can create distance from cultural roots.

 

Language is not just a communication tool – it carries emotion, history and cultural meaning. Words, expressions and tones often do not translate directly into another language, which is why many people feel that certain parts of their identity are difficult to fully express.

“Lost in Translation” Competition

 

 

This week’s competition, “Lost in Translation”, invites you to reflect on the connection between language and identity. Users are asked to choose a word or phrase from a language they know, speak or feel connected to that doesn’t have a direct translation in English and explain what it means, why it matters and what gets lost when trying to translate it.

You can check the competition out here!

 

 

Summary 

 

- Food is a key part of AANHPI culture, carrying history, tradition and identity.

- AANHPI cuisines have often been both stigmatised and later widely adopted without proper recognition.

- Language plays a central role in shaping identity and belonging.

- Many AANHPI individuals navigate multiple languages and experiences through code-switching

- The “Lost in Translation” competition explores how language reflects culture and identity.

Think about how culture appears in your everyday life – whether through food, language or small moments – as we continue celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month!

 

With love,

The Inclusivity Group