Bianca Brucato

September 3, 2014

Professor Young

English 1100

1.Discuss how the opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentist’s chair connects to the overall point/message of the essay and title.

   -When Anzaldua is in the dentist’s chair her tongue keeps pushing out all of the needles, wads of cotton, and drills. The dentist says she has a wild tongue and it needs to be tames. This connects to the essay as a whole because Anzaldua is constantly being reminded to stick to one language , such as English but it is hard for her to control what comes out of her mouth because she speaks many different types of languages that are all part of her identity.

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

  -I think Anzaldua’s use of Spanish in her writing is too show and introduce cultural phrases and sayings in her writing. She uses Spanish to show the readers her Chicano Spanish side, which is a huge part of her identity. The shift from English to Spanish in also helps readers have a more personal connection with Anzaldua’s writing. The Spanish words in her writing made sense to me because I felt it made the essay more meaningful.

3.Can 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 verses nonstandard?

  -Most people would define Academic English as Spanish to be standard because Standard Spanish is the basic underlining language used in school and the work force. Standard Spanish is used in school, the media and job situations. Chicano Spanish can be described as non-standard because there is significant differences in the Spanish we speak from the colonization of Spanish/Anglo people that’s been developing over the years. We tend to use the basic and original language to be described as standard because that is the language we use in the media, school system, and work force.

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

  - Knowing how to write and speak in Academic English is important to succeed in school and later on as you enter into your career path. Academic English is the language you use in school such as terms in Math, Science, English, and History. This is important because language is linked with identity. So knowing Academic English can help you excel in school and in  your career, which will help you form an identity along the way.

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

  - There are many different types of English identities some of them include British, Scottish, and French English identities. Each of these identities have their own type of culture and different ways of expressing their English identity which truly defines them from each one another.

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

  -My friends and I like to communicate with our own type of slang. We like to exaggerate the meaning of our sentences and be sarcastic when we speak. I find this to be our own secret language because only we know the true meaning of it.

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

   -When speaking with my friends I usually use my own slang that we have made up between our friend groups or texting slang now used in the media today. When speaking with my parents or professor I like to use proper English to show them I am educated and respect them as adults and superiors.

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

  - Your language and identity goes hand to hand. The way you speak can reflect you as a person. If you speak properly, it can show you are educated and are a bright individual. If you use slang and foul words you can come off negatively to some people. Your language can help show your culture and background, which can reflect on your identity. When you are confident in your language and truly accept it, you can learn to accept yourself and become aware of your true identity.

9.Talk specifically how the introduction and conclusion connect.

  -The introduction and conclusion connect to each other because throughout the whole essay Anzaldua is in a constant struggle to stay true to her native Spanish tongue and not conform to the ways of English language. Being pressured to adapt to the English language is hard for Anzaldua because her Spanish language is a huge part of her identity and who she is. In the introduction she is ridiculed by the dentist for having a strong accent and “wild tongue.” This is hard for her because a huge part of her identity is her language. By the conclusion Anzaldua is comfortable but still apprehensive about her Spanish language. She realizes to be confident in herself she needs to accept her native language. Anzaldua comes to a conclusion it is okay to speak both Spanish and English.

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

   -The language you speak can be a huge part of your identity because it can define many things about yourself.  It can show your age, maturity level, culture, background, ethnicity, how educated you are, and your social class.

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

   -My identity is very important to me because if you do not know your own identity, I feel you cannot truly be happy with yourself. Your identity defines a huge part of who you are and to truly accept yourself you need to accept and understand your identity first. Anzadula believes it is important to have identity because it helps us become aware of who we truly are and accept ourselves, including our language and ethnicity. An example of this is when she stated, “Something happened to the Chicano soul- we became aware of our reality and acquired a name and language (Chicano Spanish) that reflected that reality.”