Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies in Zadie Smith's Essay

Read the following excerpt from Zadie Smith's essay, 'The Language of My Family.' In this passage, Smith reflects on the impact of language on identity and belonging. Analyze how Smith employs rhetorical strategies to convey her perspective on the complexities of language and cultural identity. In your response, include specific textual evidence to support your analysis.

Excerpt:

'Language is a great portal into who we are as a people. The nuances in our dialects show the subtle cracks in our histories, and there are as many stories as there are speakers. The pain of foreignness can be softened by a familiar phrase or a shared joke, knitting us closer despite the distance of geography and time.'