How to Tame a Wild Tongue

Stephanie Bruno

8/31/15

ENGL 1100_3c

“How to Tame a Wild Tongue”

1.  How did the opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentists chair connects to the overall point/message of the essay and title?

A: The opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentist’s chair is full of metaphors. The dentist is trying to clean to her roots.  The dentist wants to “cap” her tooth but she is resisting. Her tongue is referred to as “strong and stubborn”.  Her tongue represents her spirit and heritage trying to escape and the world trying to clean and cap her heritage. 

2.  Discuss how Anzaldua’s use of the Spanish throughout her writing. Did it make sense? What was her purpose?

A: Anzaldua’s use of English and Spanish make sense to me because I believe she continues to struggle between living in two different cultures. She wants to be American and Spanish at the same time.  She also struggle with all the different dialects of the Spanish language such as Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican. 

3.  Cab Academic English be defined as Spanish (standard) and can Chicano Spanish be described as nonstandard? Why? What inferences, conclusions, can be made from referring to one identity (language) as standard versus nonstandard?

A: I think since Anzaldua does not speak Spanish (standard) she feels that people believes she is of a lower class. However, she goes on to explain that Chicano Spanish is a living language for people who are Spanish but live in and English world.  It is the language that connects both cultures.

4.  Discuss the necessity of speaking and writing in Academic English as an identity. Is it necessary?

A: I believe that it is important to speak and write in academic English to be part of the American culture in the business community.  People can still maintain their cultural identity but speak and write proper English in the US.  Language and culture are two different things.  You don’t need to lose your heritage to speak proper English.

5. Anzaldua describes different types of Spanish, identities. Discuss the various types of English, identities, you know and use.

A: English identities include songs written by Rap artist, abbreviations use in texting, and  street slang used in different communities throughout this country.  New Jerseyans often refer to going to the Shore while most New Yorkers go to the beach.  Texting has transformed our ability to communicate to people more often.  Terms like OMG and LOL were unheard of in the 1970s yet are commonplace in today’s communication.

6.  Pachuco. Do you use a secret language, secret identity, to communicate to your friends? If so, what?

A: I don’t use a different or secret language with communicating to my friends. 

7.  Chicano Spanish can be compared to non-standard English. What form of English do you speak with your friends? What form of English do you speak when you talk to your mother, professor? Why?

A: While I don’t think I use a secret language in speaking to different people I do use different terminology when speaking to friends than I would to parents, professors or clergy.  I use much more slang in my everyday communication with my peers and use more proper English when I’m working or dealing with professionals.  I feel that if I use a more formal English I will be perceived as being more educated and intelligent. 

8.  “I am my language” what does this mean? How does this statement connect to a person’s identity?

A: Using any language defines your heritage.  However you need to read, write and speak properly in your environment.   Losing your accent does not equate losing your heritage.

9. Talk specifically about how the introduction and conclusion connect.

A: The opening paragraph and closing paragraph discuss the strong and stubborn spirit that Anzaldua’s struggles with and connects her two worlds.  She wants to keep her identity which she feels most people do not understand but want to function in the English world.   She feels other races have abandoned their language and their culture but she feels strongly she must fight to keep her culture strong.

10. Can the language you speak be a part of your identity? Why?

A: I believe it is hard for English speaking Americans to understand the need for other cultures to keep their language and culture in tack.  Americans do not understand how their language connects them to their identity.  I personally do not understand that importance of keeping your own language when becoming part of the American way of life.  Turn of the century immigrants were forced to comply with speaking English and many have not lost their heritage.

11. How important is your identity to you? Does Anzaldua believe it’s important to have identity? Use some examples form “How to Tame a Wild Tongue,” to support your answer.

A: Your identity is important to the kind of person you are and is something that others use to judge you by. I do not believe your language or heritage but rather the people you have become determine your identity.  Anzaldua often thinks her identity is compromised when she is not able to freely use her Chicano Spanish language.  She feels Chicanos and other people of color suffer economically for not adapting to the Anglo-American cultural.   She feels using the English language is the “neutral” language.  She writes, “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity – I am my language. “