I have known Emma my entire life. I went to kindergarten with her. I perceive her as an American. In spite of peers perceiving her more as an American, Emma herself feels akin to Indian culture. When I am at home with family or at school I feel more Indian than American.
Language is an integral part of a culture.
Emma, who never had had a chance to learn an Indian language, does not find herself at a disadvantage. She can still appreciate the festivals, the music, and the food without knowing any Indian language. However, Emma would also love to learn an Indian language. Emma says that she used to be more curious when she was younger, along with her friends, who were also adopted from India at a young age. Even though she says that she does not think about that one fact too much any more, she does confess that she tried to find out information about them when she was in India.