Jensen3
Jensen, Jason
Eng 1A
L. Hong
How To Tame A Wild Tongue
Gloria Anzaldua
In How To Tame A Wild Tongue, Gloria Anzaldua brings up a few points. She longs for a multi-lingual society. She talks about criticisms of a monolingual society, and bias on multi-lingual speakers. She also talks about the theory of embracing a hybrid language such as Chicano Spanish.
Anzaldua talks about a monolingual society. We live in a diverse population where people speak all forms of languages. People may be of the same race/ethnicity, but they don’t necessarily speak the same language. Or, they may live in different parts of the world but be the same race/ethnicity. Anzaldua says this “there is no one Chicano language just as there is no one Chicano experience” (pg. 21 paragraph 30). This means there is a variety of ways to speak Spanish. It may be Spanglish, standard Spanish, Chicano Spanish, Tex-Mex, or Pachuco. She then talks about a Chicano having their first language be Spanish/English. This Chicano is no different than one who speaks several different types of Spanish. They are of the same race. Anzaldua thinks that by the end of the century, English will be the majority language used by everyone (including Chicanos/Latinos), not Spanish. She states, that “for a language to remain alive, it must be used” pg 21 paragraph 31. It can’t just be thrown aside. It’s like math. If you don’t practice it and use it daily, you’ll forget how to use it. Or like Latin, it’s a dead language because it’s not used anymore. It’s the same with this statement. If this language is not used, it will be forgotten.
She then talks about the bias on multi-lingual speakers and what they go through. Anzaldua starts off by talking about Chicano Spanish, a language not commonly used, and being “crucified” for it. “We speak an orphan language” she says. Anzaldua speaks of the belief that Chicano Spanish is an illegitimate language, poor Spanish, “a bastard language” (pg.20-21). She also talks about how people who use this language and use the differences of the language against each other. “It’s like looking into a mirror. They’re afraid of what they’ll see. They have a low estimation of self” (pg 21, paragraph 28). So I guess people who speak multiple languages have the fear of other people being suspicious or hesitant. Not only from other people, but also from their own people.
Anzaldua also speaks of embracing a hybrid theory such as Chicano Spanish. She believes this a good thing. She quotes, “Chicano Spanish is not incorrect, but a living language” (pg 17 paragraph 15). It’s their way of identifying with each other. It’s their secret language. Anzaldua prefers Chicano Spanish rather than proper Spanish, because it identifies her as Chicano-Mexican, a specific instead of a general population. Chicano Spanish is what Anzaldua is used to. It’s what she grew up on, her native language. It’s closest to her heart (pg.18, paragraph 18). Anzaldua states, “Chicano Spanish sprang out of the Chicanos’ need to identify ourselves as a distinct people. We needed something with which we could communicate with ourselves, a secret language” (pg 17 paragraph 17).
I can sort of relate to Anzaldua. From what I gather and understand, she feels more comfortable speaking “slang” Spanish, which is Chicano Spanish, rather than proper Spanish. She also feels a little uncomfortable around those who speak “proper Spanish”. She’s not used to it. I am the same way, sort of. English is my first language. I know how to speak it. I know proper English, and I know “slang” English. I prefer to use “slang” English. It’s easier to communicate to my friends and peers. But when I’m around my parents or people of a proper educational background, I will use Proper English. I don’t prefer to, but sometimes you just have to.
For example, I remember this one time I was talking to someone. I was talking to him about something, and I was using proper English. It was a good conversation, and then I remember out of the blue, I started to use some non-proper English words. At first he didn’t understand. Then he told me “I’m not one of your homie friends. You need to use proper English when speaking to me”. In that situation, I needed to speak proper English. I would have liked to use slang English but it wasn’t the right time.
So according to Anzaldua, we need to embrace Chicano Spanish as a language. I agree with this to an extent. I believe yes we should allow Chicanos to speak whatever language they’re comfortable with when they are with friends or peers. But when they’re with those who may require a little more proper Spanish, I believe they should speak that.