Identity in Language

 Response Paper

Alice Williams

GEOG101

Identity in Language

Gloria Anzaldua’s essay "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" showcases her experience and struggles with language as she was split between Mexican and American cultures, where a Mexican-American didn’t fit in. Living in America, and often scolded or ridiculed for speaking Spanish or with a Spanish accent, Anzaldua explains the experience she had growing up in a society where her language was not accepted. Not only was Spanish not accepted in America, but the variation of Spanish she spoke, Chicano Spanish, was looked down upon by traditional Spanish speakers as well. Anzaldua describes how her language, and others like Spanglish and Tex-Mex, had evolved from Spanish, and developed naturally over time under Anglo influence. Anzaldua describes cultural conflict around her language, stating that Mexican Spanish speakers accused Chicanos of speaking incorrect Spanish, but Anzaldua states, “Chicano Spanish is a border tongue which developed naturally...it is not incorrect, it is a living language” (37). 

Anzaldua also describes the Chicano culture and how being in between Mexican and American cultures caused a struggle to find identity, as there wasn’t language representation, it made it difficult to identify to others. When referring to sense of not fitting in, Anzaldua states, “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity - I am my language. Until I can take pride in my language I cannot take pride in myself” (40).  Anzaldua shares her excitement when finding a published Chicano written book and Tex-Mex poetry, as she had never seen those before, and how thrilled she was. Often feeling like an outcast, torn between two cultures, Anzaldua was ecstatic to feel a sense of belonging in those readings. As she became an educator later on, she made a point to incorporate Chicano literature into her lessons despite being told to only teach “American” literature. Anzaldua outlines really well the need for language acceptance and representation, and how language is key in connection to culture, identity and sense of belonging. 

I found it really interesting how her mother even scolded her for speaking English with a Spanish accent. My great-grandparents came to America from Norway when they were young adults. My mom always told me they rarely spoke Norwegian, other than the occasional phrase and did not teach it to their children. She said they felt since they were in America now, they had to speak English to be “American”. On another language note, my husband is Hungarian, he and his family all speak Hungarian to one another, but he had no interest in teaching it to our children, despite my efforts to convince him. Hungarian was my husband’s first language, as with the majority of his family members, and connects all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, many of whom do not speak English or do not speak it well. What a great opportunity it could be, for our kids to be able to connect and identify with their Hungarian family through language.