Esspada And Bilingualism

Martin Espada also argues that cultural aggression causes diversion amongst communities and that Spanish speakers receive unfair treatments due to suspicion and fear from non-Spanish speaking people. Between the communities of Spanish and Non-Spanish speakers the presence of violence and bullying lingers and affects both of the involved parties. Espada writes about one of his encounters with an

The need for bilingual education is not directly related to the need for the student to have a more pleasant learning experience, but based more on the increasing need for these individuals to learn about their heritage, how they can present themselves to others in different scenarios, and being knowledgeable in both languages at a dual equivalence. The key

Bilingual education offers a completely different world for students of different ethnic background and thus creates a comfort zone limiting the risk-taking factor necessary for the maturation of a child to an adult. Rodriguez argues supporters of bilingualism fail to realize "while one suffers a

In the public, Espada has an equal reaction towards bilingualism. He believes that anyone should be able to speak their language anytime. Espada supports his view by describing an encounter with a man who threatened Espada because he was speaking Spanish: “‘That’s what they’re trying to do to all of us,’ . . . . ‘But it won’t work, porque yo hablo español con el corazón’” (Espada 96-99). The Spanish phrase translates to “because I speak Spanish with my heart”, which indicates that Espada will not cease conversing in Spanish even after a man threatened him for doing so.

When someone is bilingual it means they’re fluent in two languages. For Martin Espada this definition goes deeper. For him bilingualism means speaking two languages, but also letting the two languages become a part of him. When a part of someone’s identity is threatened, they don’t just sit back and let it happen, they fight back. This is the same for Espada. He’s been fighting back for the right to speak Spanish because for him he finds that “the best way for me to maintain Spanish is to fight for the right to speak Spanish” (17-18). He stands up to oppressors that don’t want him to speak Spanish, and keeps fighting.

Following her father’s view, the next four stanzas describes Espaillat’s different view on bilingualism. “English outside this door, Spanish inside,” / he said, “y basta.” But who can divide // the world, the word ( mundo y palabra) from / any child? I knew how to be dumb // and stubborn (testaruda); late, in bed, / I hoarded secret syllables I read // until my tongue (mi lengua) learned to run / where his stumbled. And still the heart was one” (lis 7-14). Here, she complains about her father’s rule of separating english and spanish from her household. Using a rhetorical question, she states that it is impossible to separate an exposed language from a child. Secretly practicing english in her father’s absence, she was able to fluently learn the language which her father struggled in. Through her success, Espaillat saw that her heart was “still” one, which is a metaphor for saying that the two language can coexist; contradicting her father’s view on the “cut” of her heart in two.

Martín Espada seeks to create a Spanish-friendly environment, where Spanish is openly spoken. He believes that the school system should cater to bilingual students, and aid each student in learning by teaching them in their native language, or easing them into English, rather than throwing the kids into an English-only environment right away. In a mythical world where Espada is king, there would be no lexical discrimination. English would not be forced upon others, and no language would be banned nor targeted. Everyone would be free to speak any language, anywhere, at any time, without having to worry about being belittled or threatened.

Bilingualism is the ability to communicate in two different languages. Bilingual education is the use of two different languages in classroom instruction. According to the Encyclopedia of Children’s Health, and many other researchers, “languages are learned the easiest during a child’s youngest years. Therefore, when a child is growing up in a bilingual home or is receiving bilingual education, can easily speak both languages. Children who grow up in a household where two languages are spoken, usually acquire both languages simultaneously. Although their ability quality and skill of each language may be somewhat slower than a child that is

Spanish speakers benefit learning English, universally used in the United States. I have always accepted other’s life decisions. Bilingualism to me relates to both Espada and Rodriguez’s opinions. Espada believes non-English speakers should fight for the right to preserve their language and identity. Rodriguez believes language and culture diminishes the less that language is spoken. I believe in United States English should be spoken in formal settings (schools, businesses, etc.), while other languages could be spoken in appropriate situations (non-business). Espada grew up with English as his first language and later learned Spanish. Rodriguez grew up with a choice to no longer resist English or to not fit in with American society. Their differences reflect on their opinions today.

Bilinguals in America experience unfair treatment and are looked at differently if English is not their native language. The subject of bilingualism is not a topic many are educated on. Uneducated English speakers use their dominance and popularity of their language to treat Spanish speakers like their language and culture does not belong in our country. Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez speak of bilingualism in their well published essays, and they write about the struggles that American citizens face when they are bilingual in Spanish and English. This essay will clearly show each writer’s definition and arguments on bilingualism and my argument on the topic.

Rodriguez builds a formidable case against bilingual education with his bilingual childhood experiences. Rodriguez grew up speaking Spanish, but then learned how to speak English later in life so he knows what effects bilingual education has on bilingual kids who grew up speaking a private language at homes. When Rodriguez first came to the United States in Sacramento, California he understood “about fifty stray English words” (Richard Rodriguez “Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood”). He was a Mexican immigrant whose family only knew how to speak Spanish. The neighbors of Rodriguez’s family didn’t like them, so when they were out walking they would tell Rodriguez’s parents “Keep your brats away from my sidewalk!” (Rodriguez 571). Rodriguez loses the “special feeling of closeness at home” when he learned English (Rodriguez 577). Personal experiences are what makes him a credible author. Rodriguez used strong ethos and pathos appeals, but he didn’t use strong logos appeals. He didn’t use facts or reasoning in his memoir to prove his points against bilingual education.

Espada describes how non-english speakers experience discrimination and xenophobia in their daily lives while Rodriguez describes bilingualism from educational standpoint, which from a personal experience I understand clearly by what Rodriguez said about private and public languages because from my standpoint Chinese would be my private language.

Although being bilingual could keep you connected with your ancestors, war against bilingualism in the United States exists. Martin Espada illustrates the discrimination that bilingualism and Spanish speakers face daily. Espada explains; “ There are too many in this country who would amputate the Spanish tongue.” (4). The cultural aggression towards Spanish and other languages that aren’t English continue to rise. He elaborates, “The purists of English language is being corrupted from the bottom up: by “Spanglish,” by “Ebonics,” by all non-standard English as spoken by poor and working-class people. These dialects seek to obscure, rather than clarify; their intent is not to communicate, but to control.” (5). Espada points out that people in the United States devote their time to oppose bilingual and foreign language. The State House of Massachusetts attempted to make English the official language of the state, which would then act as a base for legal discrimination against Spanish and Latinos. Espada recalls an incident; “At META, we saw language discrimination cases on occasion. One case came from nearby Lynn, Massachusetts. A Latino parent called us and said; “Please come over to Lynn English High School. They have banned Spanish at lunchtime.” (7). The conclusion to ban Spanish at lunchtime came to a chief lunchroom aide overheard a few students speaking Spanish at lunch and thought that they talked about Anglos people among everyone. Many

His fights for his beliefs but he isn’t as passionate or aggressive as Espada’s arguments though. Rodriguez let himself be pushed away from his Spanish culture and the language. For example, Rodriguez’s family started speaking English at home so he would learn it faster and be able to speak English so he would have access to a public language. He started losing touch with his language and his family. Rodriguez acknowledges, “No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness” (Rodriguez 24). He lost his connection with his family because he spoke English so often that he lost Spanish. He doesn’t speak Spanish or follow the culture anymore because he allowed himself to be pushed away from it. He never brought it up with his family or didn’t think much of it. None of them realized they would be losing their original language and culture.

Bilingualism is simply able to communicate in two languages. Therefore, bilingualism to me, means being able to communicate with different people and discovering their cultures. Most importantly, being bilingual gives me a different perspective on the world. I am able to relate and feel more connected because it makes me become more open-minded. My parents are from Cambodia. So, Khmer is my mother tongue, and English is my second language. Being able to speak two languages is definitely an important part of my identity. For instance, my native language relates back to my deep connection to my roots and speaking another language shows my willingness to embrace other culture. I can proudly say that I am Cambodian-American. Not to mention, bilingualism