English 1301

In the article, “ How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Gloria Anzaldua talks about losing an accent to adjust with the current lifestyle. Gloria did grow up in the Untied States but spoke mostly Spanish. She did not speak true Spanish but a different form of Spanish called “ Chicano Spanish”. She was living in the most English speaking place on this planet, but she was from Mexican decent. Spanish in the United States was rare during this time, but she spoke a form of Spanish. She describes the difficulty of changing to Chicano Spanish. Chicano Spanish also varies from Texas to Arizona to California. It is considered a poor form of Spanish. “ Spanish for the Uneducated” is what they say about the Chicano language. That is where Anzaldua has a problem with it. The language a person speaks is a part of who they are. If the way they speak is criticized day after day it becomes something that they are being criticized for. Though Chicanos from all over the United States may speak different forms of Chicano Spanish, they are all Chicanos. Simply because the language varies does not mean that it makes it any less Spanish. People who speak a variation on a language should not be ashamed of the way they speak it. Part of their identity is in the way they express their ideas. Chicano has become more than just a sub-culture but a culture all its own. Anzaldua argues that Chicano music, movies, and literature are just as valid forms of cultural expression as any other. Gloria Anzaldua’s essay expresses the need for the language of Chicano Spanish and Chicano culture to be recognized as valid. Being a Chicano, speaking Chicano Spanish, and participating in Chicano culture is not something to be ashamed of. Hispanics are proud of their language and can not stress enough how important it is to know how to understand and somewhat speak Chicano Spanish in our culture. Combining both English and Spanish and having a conversation using those languages is what makes the Chicano culture feel apart of this English speaking nation. Anzaldua expresses that the language is sometimes looked down upon but regardless Mexican Americans speak it proudly and are not ashamed of the language. The language is strong and is here to stay is what Anzaldua concluded in the end of the article, and I have to agree with her one hundred percent.