Guatemala has more people than any other Central American country, with an estimated population of 11,980,000 it is home to many different cultures. The population can be divided into two groups; Indians and people of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. But in Guatemala, being called an Indian or a non-Indian does not depend entirely on a person's ancestry. It is basically a matter of how people live and of how they categorize themselves. For example, a Guatemalan is considered an Indian if he or she speaks an Indian language, wears Indian clothing, and lives in a community where the people follow the Indian ways of life. The Indians think of themselves more as part of their community than of their country. They pay little attention …show more content…
Rosita spoke Spanish and Quiche, Rosita would speak Spanish outside of the home with friends, but she would speak Quiche during prayer, while talking to her mother, and at her father?s funeral. Rosita would speak Spanish as well to Enrique and her brother. Enrique spoke Spanish when he talked with his father and he spoke ?broken? English when he was working in America. Rosita had to speak different languages in different scenarios because people really stick to their cultures as well as their respective languages. As for speaking, English it is essential for them to try to learn it in order to increase job opportunities and achieve acceptance in society beyond their own communities. (Heath 249)
Enrique would speak English while he worked in America. He would only speak Spanish to his Spanish-American friends and co-workers. It seemed as if speaking Spanish was relaxing to him because it was like being at home for him, plus it was it was easier for him to relate to other immigrants because they were all going through the same thing. Today most citizens in Mexico speak Spanish, but many small indigenous groups keep their mother tongue. (Heath 254)
Four different ethnic groups are represented in this movie: Indians, Mestizos, Chicanos, and Gringos. In this movie we saw Rosita and Enrique?s family which seemed to be mixed with Mestizos and Indians which is odd seeing that the two cultures
Ernesto spoke Spanish but had to transfer to a school that speaks English. He was afraid he wouldn't fit in. He did get help from is teacher, Ms. Ryan, as a result Ernesto graduated first grade knowing how to say many words like butterfly in English.
Also, children would often shame her for being an immigrant and speaking Spanish even though they were of the same cultural heritage as her. A new language put distance between her and the new world she was living in.
On the other hand the “public” language was the language that he felt threatened by. He says that he can only hear sounds people make while speaking English instead of the actual words. He remembers that those words sounded like ,"So many words were still unknown to me that when the butcher or the lady at the drugstore said something, exotic polysyllabic sounds would bloom in the midst of their sentences. Often speech in public seemed to me very loud, booming with confidence"(449) . To him whenever someone spoke English it was a complete blur .It was like he was living in a different world different to what he was used to. It wasn't until he realised that everyone around him aside from his family spoke the English language .Once he started learning English, he slowly began to realize that he needed to learn it in order to fit in society. Receiving bilingual education taught him that it was a must to learn both Spanish language and English language in order fit into the American society. And with that came the losse of his closeness to his family.
On the one hand, English was the language used to communicate with outsiders. It was a tool for survival and held no personal meaning. It was crucial for public success. On the other hand, in Richard Rodriguez’s own words: “Spanish was associated with closeness”. By reading the previous passage, we can clearly infer that Spanish was the key to Richard’s confort. Hearing Spanish brought Rodriguez feelings of love, acceptance, family, and security. Spanish was a reminder of home and seemed to him a private language. In other words, he was surrounded by a web built by the family love and security which is conveyed by using the Spanish language, as the following passage shows: “...Spanish seemed to me the language of home...It became the language of joyful return...”. Moreover, if we consider the following passage:”You belong here. We are family members. Related. Special to one another” it is possible to say that Spanish language made Rodriguez felt as part of his family, creating a feeling of belonging and reinforcing family ties and ethnic heritage.
The way in which South and Central America, including the Caribbean Islands, categorize its individuals involves a complex conflict that is quite different from the Black and White binary we see in the United States. The racial situation is comprised of the struggle between one’s culture, self-identification, and physical characteristics. We learned more about this struggle from the individuals in the Dominican Republic in the film, Mirrors of the Heart, along with coming to understand the significance of history on the racial system.
The Lady of Guadalupe is a huge part of the Mexican tradition, and how many people look up to her in a very godly way. She is important, because she reminds people of their appreciation for their own cultures, along with the other cultures that are all over the world. The Lady of Guadalupe is someone that is the exact replica of the Virgin Mary. But, the only difference is, is that the Virgin Mary is a saint that is represented in the European culture, and the Lady of Guadalupe in the Aztec and Native culture of Mexico. The lady of Guadalupe is a positive influence on different religions, especially Christianity.
Spanish is a significant joining power in the Mexican American community. Mexican Americans will not forget their native tongue; though equally, English and Spanish are spoken in
A Latina writer, Espada Martin, said in an interview, " I think Spanish is a very important bridge for Latinos to cross, because on the other side is the homeland ancestry and tradition, the elders of the community, yourself." Later she said, "It's really difficult for Latinos who don't speak Spanish to feel whole ( Rysavy )." If a Latino cannot speak Spanish it can make them question their identity even more so, and people may question their validity as a Latino.
Guatemala’s culture is a unique product of Native American ways and a strong Spanish colonial heritage. About half of Guatemala’s population is mestizo (known in Guatemala as ladino), people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. Ladino culture is dominant in urban areas, and is heavily influenced by European and North American trends. Unlike many Latin American countries, Guatemala still has a large indigenous population, the Maya, which has retained a distinct identity. Deeply rooted in the rural highlands of Guatemala, many indigenous people speak a Mayan language, follow traditional religious and village customs, and continue a rich tradition in textiles and other crafts. The two cultures
While English is the most spoken language in the United States, it is not the only means of communicating in this country. Spanish is spoken by a large amount of the population; as a result, knowing how to speak both is the key to success in America. For those who came to this country and already knew this language, it is an important part of who they are. As a direct result of learning it, individuals who embrace it as a second (or even third) language grow closer to their roots, or broaden their horizons. Speaking Spanish is more than gaining a new skill; it is a great step in becoming a better person and a citizen of the world.
The Aztec and Maya were both American Indian people. The Aztec were ruled by a mighty empire in Mexico during the 1400's and early 1500's. The Maya however, developed a magnificent civilization in Central America and Southern Mexico. Both civilizations contributed a great deal to the modern world and invented items that are still used today.
Spanish is my native language, however, my mother advised my siblings and I to speak only English. This was because she was afraid that we would be rejected from professional careers if our English wasn 't unaccented, fluent, and similar in refinement to the working class whites. With time, I became a fluent English speaker with a developed Central American accent but like, any other young girl, I thought nothing of it. That is until one event, in particular, occurred that would cast a shadow of embarrassment onto my Spanish language. This event not only led me to desert my entire native language but a sense of my cultural identity, as well.
She also argues that many Latinos who have lived in the United States for quite a long time, but they still speak English with an accent because they often talk to each other in Spanish. She says that many Latinos preferably attended Sunday mass in Spanish rather than in English. Obviously, it appears that Kuntz makes her decision not to teach her children her native tongue mainly based on those facts that she sees and experiences in her lifetime.
Maya, a beautiful, noble, mysterious name 'what kind of brilliant achievements have ever had? Even the Maya predicted that the end of 2012 doomsday have caused panic around the world. However, it is such a strong civilization that seems to have evaporated from this earth overnight. Let people have deep curiosity on Mayan culture! Let us work together to understand more Maya it.
Also, people belittle a foreigner's native language. Mujica reports a known politician in favor of adopting English as the official language for the United States, and she felt the train of thought was dense (217). Foreigners are singled out, for not comprehending English. Rodriguez recalls a gringo [American or English person] rudely asking "What can I do for you?", Rodriguez sensed he could not adapt to the gringos society, but stay safely tucked away in his Spanish society (213). Also, people make a foreigner's native language feel too formal. Rodriguez describes the nun who introduced him to his first classroom in his new academic career, and how her voice echoed with a dullness, while she sounded each syllable of his Hispanic last name (212). Equally important, people insinuate English to foreigners. Youngquist and Martínez-Griego observed that many of the families at a local learning center spoke Spanish, and limited English, and tried to teach English to their children. Instead of helping their children learn English, it interrupted the learning development for both languages (92). Peopl humble a foriegner's language.