"I enjoyed working on this project because it introduced me to phonetics and how communicative competence, language variety, and speech community impact my education and culture." - Vanessa

"This project made me take a deep dive into my past experiences and really analyze things from a different perspective. This class has shifted my views in the communities I say I belong to and has helped me grow my identity. I am very appreciative of having a professor and classmates who challenge me to keep thinking beyond." - Jason

"This paper was a very good experience for me, and I was able to explore how both my name and my life reflect the cultural orientations of my family." - Ayaz

"As a peer reviewer, I learned that being a helpful reader involves providing feedback that's not only constructive but also supportive. To review someone else’s essay made me think more critically about my own writing. It reminded me of how important it is to showcase my linguistic journey from Spanish to English in a way that’s relatable yet still distinct." - Rafael

"I enjoyed this assignment as it made me reflect on growing up with two languages in my household. I’ve realized how much being bilingual shaped the way I heard and tried to share stories. This project has taught me that languages not only deepen your connection with family history but also enhance cultural and community awareness." - Jennifer

"I feel like going back to this essay at the end of the course rather than just leaving it at the beginning was a clever way to go about the assignment." - Janhete

"I had a lot of fun learning with my family and classmates, and for it to all come together is very rewarding." - Kevon

"Working on this project was very eye opening to me." - Kyle

"While writing both the linguistic autobiography and family naming analysis essays, I was able to figure out a little bit more about my family and about myself." - Lilibeth

"This project has taught me how to publish my own writing, and how to stay persistent with my work." - Lauren

"Working on this project, I have learned how language is truly important, not only to me but to everyone's unique story from class." - Nancy

"I've learned how I've had to adapt to my surroundings, by this I mean learning to speak to Spanish and speaking different versions of both English and Spanish depending on whom I'm speaking to. Lastly, I have taken the time to read some of my peers' essays and I am amazed about the similarities and differences some of us share. " - Luis

"My experience with this assignment was very positive and fun." - Kassandra

"One of my key takeaways from this process is the realization of how early experiences with language have influenced my journey.  My language journey is a testament to resilience and a celebration of diversity. " - Samantha

"Awesome to be able to share such a good experience with my classmates." - Carlos

"Overall, this project was definitely challenging because it encourages you to really think about yourself and what you have experienced. From this project, I learned that you go at your own pace and write what you feel is necessary, because it's your story." - Tracy

"The project has created a point of self-development in my worldview of Black English and how it is perceived." - Dylan

"Writing this essay has pushed me to become a little more comfortable with talking about myself." - Makayla

"This experience was unique in that I got to explore stories about my family and my childhood through a new lens and in a way that I had never previously considered." - Catherine