The Importance Of Bilingualism, And The Cultures Of Language

“Our culture, our traditions, our languages are the foundations upon which we build our identity.” - Unknown. Bilingualism has many different interpretations and definitions and can cause problems in the community or unite it. The concept of bilingualism represents several different ideas, two writers, Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez share in their essays their personal stories about being immersed into the English culture and learning the language. They share their views of what bilingualism means to them personally and make arguments about the importance of the concept. The two essayists bring awareness to the major role bilingualism plays in the communities today and highlight the effects of disagreements between cultural groups.

In Richard Rodriguez's essay , “ Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood ” he writes about how he struggled as a child who only spoke Spanish but lives in a society where the “public” language is English . He believes that speaking proper English will somehow help him fit into society and find his identity. Throughout the essay he contrast the Spanish language identity and English language identity. As a young boy, Rodriguez finds consolation and safety in his home where they only speak Spanish. He feels that he only has a true identity when he is at home surrounded by those who speak the same language as him

Bilingual education, as Rodriguez states, "romanticizes public separateness and trivializes the dilemma of the socially disadvantaged."

What is the meaning of bilingualism? Even with a dictionary definition, can it be trusted to give an answer that everyone agrees with? The dictionary definition is controversial, which results in people discussing the actual definition that fits everyone’s perception. But of course, with discussions, comes arguments. Who discusses such topics, and what do they talk about? Two prominent figures who discuss this topic are Martín Espada and Richard Rodriguez. Both have contrasting views on bilingualism, and their views are shown in their essays, which are The New Bathroom Policy at English High School by Espada and Hunger of Memory by Rodriguez. Espada’s definition of bilingualism is the ability to learn a new language and the right to

According to Martin Espada’s essay, “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School,” bilingualism represents a sense of self identity, a passion and love for speaking two languages, and the ability to embrace and preserve another culture. Espada has a love and passion for bilingualism and the privilege he has to

In the article, Speak Spanish, You’re in America!: El Huracan over language and Culture, Juan Gonzalez, a journalist and broadcaster of the daily show, Democracy Now, describes how bilingualism has impacted the United States’ modern education system. He describes an amendment that would constitute English as the official in the United States, which he believes can be a potential threat to the educational system. Gonzalez suggests that instead of having an amendment that constitutes English as the national language, American schools should implement Spanish to highlight the importance of being bilingualism in the American educational system. A constitutional amendment declaring English as the national language would be damaging to bilingual students because it would limit their capability of communicating in English or their native language, and therefore they have would fall behind in classes and will not succeed in the American educational system. To highlight the importance of bilingualism, even more the educational system should implement a variety of languages.

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.

In Richard Rodriguez's essay , “ Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood ” he writes about how he struggled as a child who only spoke Spanish language but lives in a society where the “public” language is English . He believes that speaking proper English will somehow help him fit into society and find his “true” identity. Throughout the essay he contrast the Spanish language identity and English language identity. As a young boy, Rodriguez finds consolation and safety in his home where they only speak Spanish. He feels that he only has a true identity when he is at home surrounded by those who speak the same language as him . On the contrary , he becomes trapped and disoriented when not being able to speak / understand the English language . He feels as if he is not part of “their world” and has no identity in society. By comparing and contrasting Spanish language identity and English language identity . Rodriguez's essay is an example that speaking different languages should not make anyone choose an identity . In fact being able to speak and understand multiple languages in his case Spanish and English makes the language a part of his identity, but with two different sides .

How I speak to my friends differs from the way I speak to my teachers. How I speak to my family differs from the way I speak in public. Does my ability to speak multiple dialects of English infer I am bilingual? Society commonly interprets bilingualism as the capability to speak multiple languages. In reality, someone’s cultural and emotional connection largely helps define bilingualism. I define bilingualism as someone’s ability to express their culture(s) while speaking a language(s). The writers Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez discuss their views of bilingualism within their essays. Espada teaches at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and conducts political poems. In his essay “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School” he

Although bilingual education has some merit, avoiding the implementation of the more popular language of a community is detrimental to the incorporation of mostly you people in society and hinders their ability to develop a keen sense of identity. For example, "language gets learned as it gets used (7).” In other words, one masters the language as he speaks it. Speaking and language skills tend to sharpen if they are used regularly. Rodriguez argues that learning both languages and using them rather than leaving one begins to lead to a better sense of identity and freedom. But according to Rodriguez it makes one become insecure, growing up

In “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School,” Martin Espada reveals his definition of bilingualism. Through Espadas stories and arguments, he states that bilingualism means having a sense of identity and culture with the languages that you speak. He supports his idea of bilingualism by telling his audience that people who don’t speak English want to keep their language, and everything that comes with it, alive. Espada states, “What they want to do is also retain their own language, culture, and identity” (165-167). Espada values his concept and belief of bilingualism and he helps others by writing about it because he knows bilingual speakers face discrimination and harassment every day. When Espada was being mistreated by an English speaker on the street, he stood up for himself and said, “He can

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.

Thesis - According to both Rodriguez and Espada, bilingualism is the separation of public and private language in society. to protect the rights of Spanish speakers.

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

The person’s identity reflects his culture and from where he belongs. People who migrate from their homeland to a foreign country struggled between native and foreign language. One has to become multilingual due to the demand of society to be able to communicate. In James Baldwin, “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?” And Amy Tan’s, “Mother Tongue” both authors experience struggle of language role and being bilingual in order to adjust in different societies. Leaving native language and being bilingual affects one’s public identity, personal life and inequality.