Article Analysis Essay on "How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Introduction

The Article, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" by Gloria Anzaldua describes the hard conditions of living in America as a Mexican. Anzaldua outlines how people have improper manners towards her home language in a compelling way (Anzaldua, 1987). Most people in the globe have experienced a situation where there were people around who spoke a different language they did not grasp, and they had to speak out in favor of their native language. If not for speaking out, some have felt the awkwardness of having to be in such a situation. In this paper, the article, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" by Gloria Anzaldua will be analyzed. In the essay, I will speak back to the author in my critical thinking, personal experience, and values.

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Anzaldua expresses her perceptions on how her native language, Chicano Spanish, should be utilized as a form of communication by its people distinctively, to preserve its people cultural unity. She mentions, "For a people who cannot identify with Standard English, there is no recourse is left for them than to create their language" (Anzaldua, 1987). Anzaldua says that regardless of the contemporary pressure of wanting to understand more appropriately and formerly spoken English or Spanish, the structure of Chicano language is a distinct formation of identity through language within the societal norms of Mexicans. As much as the English language is universal, it has its own rules, functions, and forms. The Chicano language identified by the author is a representation of a personal story since it is not even accepted or recognized by the Non-Chicanos (Anzaldua, 1987). Most people feel that it is essential to surrender into learning the proper English language also if speaking their language will act as a form of unity; they think that to adapt and create assimilation, they need to abandon their language and force themselves to speak English. Anzaldua disagrees on that notion of a person having to force themselves into a different language and culture and feels that an individual has to create their language if they cannot identify with the more formal languages of acceptance. Anzaldua promotes language identity, social tolerance, and the role of literacy. Anzaldua reveals that "repeated attacks on their native language diminishes their sense of self" (Anzaldua, 1987).In my opinion, Anzaldua's concept is right since criticizing a person's language diminishes their self-confidence and suppresses their sense of self. People should be aware of this and should strive to encourage social justice. Anzaldua argues that "until it is free to write bilingually and switch codes without always having to translate, the language will be illegitimate" (Anzaldua, 1987)

An analysis of the text, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" deepens my thinking of social science and justice. In my personal life experiences, I have not had to change how I speak to belong since I use language as a means of communication. Most people who are intimidated by other languages are those that focus on using it as a form of identity, as s the case with Anzaldua. A person that is stuck in their language will always feel and notice the negative attitude that people have towards the language. To function as a united people, those who speak a common language should not be ashamed to use it as a form of communication with each other. Despite the adverse reactions to diversity, Anzaldua has outlined and has presented herself as a perfect illustration of how an individual is capable of validating themselves. A people's language is a portion of their identity, and any person can decide on the right and wrong way to speak.

References

Anzaldua, G. (1987). How to tame a wild tongue (pp. 2947-2955). Na. Retrieved from http://www.sevanoland.com/uploads/1/1/8/0/118081022/anzaldua-wild-tongue.pdf