This semester, I truly appreciated being able to look at a variety of texts through a transnational lens. My understanding of the term itself has changed tremendously from our first discussion to now. While I still believe that the task of distinguishing cosmopolitanism, nationalism, transnationalism, and the global that we attempted in our first discussion will never be less challenging, the understanding of crucial distinctions I have gained do make this task appear much less grueling. Especially interesting were the differences and parallels that were drawn between transnationalism and globalization, as even our literature discussed that there is a fine line and a multitude of differing opinions on defining this distinction. I now understand that this fine line is drawn by the transnational attempt at working ‘beyond’ distinct borders of the nation state, something that is often crucial in discussing globalization. The works we read, including Spanish, German, and English texts, were a transnational combination in and of themselves, while highlighting how these processes occur and interact to create a new forms of meaning.

One of the main texts that has changed the way in how I approach literature from a transnational standpoint is Homi Bhabha’s article on the concept of the ‘third space’, ‘liminal space’ or ‘interstitiality’. While his jargon was quite complex and difficult at times, this idea seems to have struck a chord in my understanding of transnational processes, especially in regards to the creation of meaning and identity. Having previously been exposed to mostly post-colonial theory and criticism, this new notion posits an entirely new way of examining and understanding literature. I no longer consider texts solely in regards to oppression or privilege, though this still may often be the case even in this age. Instead, I am now able to grasp and appreciate that the occurring contact in itself is an exchange. More specifically, I now see this border where opposing cultures, ideas, and forms collide as creating a productive exchange. The liminal or third space in which this occurs is not bound by previous conceptions or schools of thought, but rather creates a space where novel imaginations, identities, and belonging can thrive.

This interstitiality can indeed be applied to every text we have discussed this semester, but I will name just a few here. In Open City, Julius’ past experiences and daily motions contest in this liminal space, giving new meaning to his identity which cannot be placed within the confines of his ancestry, travel, or current location. He narrates his thoughts while engaging in discussions that often transgress beyond ideas of the past, present, and future. In Borderlands, Anzaldua uses language as a means to navigate this third space between her English and Hispanic language. This productive exchange results in a new hybrid language which is an authentic representation of her lived experiences. In Axolotl Roadkill, Mifti is trapped in a space between reality and imagination. She attempts to make sense of her own belonging by interweaving her current situation with an often hallucinatory, but authentic narrative. While all of these texts are products of different languages and cultures, they share the central concept of working outside fixed borders to create new meaning.

Lastly, I believe the exposure and introduction to the digital humanities is something that will shape the way that I approach my academic work. With an undergraduate degree in Communication/German, I had been searching for ways to merge the two fields of my interest and knowledge. That being said, I immediately felt drawn to the ability of combining these two fields. Digital humanities is an emerging field that draws on the ever-increasing prevalence of technology in our lives. It is only natural that we should be discussing and researching the ways in which this affects the collective imagination of people and nations. The ability to draw on large data sets undoubtedly combines well with the humanities, especially in regards to collating large amounts of research. While the tools are fascinating, just a quick glance shows that actually being able to use these tools successful may require much more practice and research.

Overall, I am grateful for having had the ability to enroll in this course. This course would be beneficial for students in any discipline, even outside of the school of languages, as it opens up an entirely new way of thinking about the world and its exchanges of cultural forms, and will undoubtedly shape the way in which I approach my academic work in the future.