English-Only Policies By Martin Espada And Hunger Of Memory By Richard Rodriguez
About 400 unique non-English languages are spoken in the United States, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Even after almost 450 years since the colonization of America by the British, controversially, an official language has yet to be named. According to Martin Espada, writer of “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School,” the ability to speak native languages in America is a right that should be respected and not infringed upon by English-only policies. Conversely, Richard Rodriguez, author of “Hunger of Memory,” claims that English-only policies are precisely what non-native speakers need to be successful. As Espada and Rodriguez both offer valuable perspectives on the role of language, I believe …show more content…
He asserts that the suppression and ignorance of non-English languages in America only causes hostility and discrimination against minority language speakers. Espada tells of an unfortunate case, “In Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1987, a Cambodian schoolboy was drowned by his white counterpart over degradation and bilingual education” (lines 158-161). If the installation of English-only policies further encourages ignorance towards non-English languages and leads to extreme violence, it should not continue to be considered as a viable option, as Espada highlights within his claim. Outside of his various interactions with individuals he has spoken to, Espada too has experienced blatant discrimination. While speaking with a politician about a bilingual education organization, a man approaches Espada. Reflexively, he acknowledges the man, responding, “‘Como Estas?’” (88). The man threatens to rip out Espada’s tongue for simply speaking to him in Spanish. Such sensitivity to others that differ from us, especially in today’s diverse America, only leads to disunity and anger within our …show more content…
Espada shares his enthusiasm towards fighting for Spanish, “Defending the right of all Latinos to [speak Spanish]... creates in me a passion towards Spanish itself,” (18-20). Alike Espada, I believe that language is a right, and speakers of non-English languages should have the freedom to speak in a comfortable environment. I also believe that such tolerance is a stride towards making America a better, more united place. Rodriguez suffers from the lack of accommodation for him to maintain his native language while also learning English. After the public language seeps into his own home, Rodriguez tells of how he was affected. He explains, “But the special feeling of closeness at home was diminished by then,” (123-125). I believe that success in America should not need to be prioritized over one's own culture, such as the loss Rodriguez
The New Bathroom Policy By Martin Espada And Richard Rodriguez
550 Words | 3 PagesLanguage can also be a disadvantage to those traveling or relocating. I am an undoubtful believer that wherever you may be, you should not be limited by the language you speak. Martin Espada’s “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School” addresses the difficulties and struggles while putting them into perspective. Espada was in 1957 and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He used to work as a tenant
Rhetorical Analysis Of How To Tame A Wild Tongue
280 Words | 2 PagesA Rhetorical Analysis of Gloria Anzaldua’s, “How to Tame A Wild Tongue.” The latin american and mexican diaspora have continuously been at odds as to which dialect of spanish tends to be the most proper or rightfully utilized, in being examined by each other as while as the anglo society. Well the multi-ethnic diaspora that resides within Gloria Anzaldua’s (the writer) home, the Borderlands, tends to exude the conceptualization of multiple dialects of spanish speech into one.
Summary Of English Only By Warren J. Blumenfeld
1295 Words | 6 PagesIn “English Only” Warren J. Blumenfeld considers the troubles of establishing the English only laws, he also visits the fact that although America hasn’t established an official language, there is still an implied code of language throughout the country. He argues that the need to establish English as our official language is unnecessary and demeaning to those who don’t speak English, he also argues that we should stop the discrimination by language and accept our diversity as a country. He shows that some states have already passes the English only law, then sympathizes with those immigrants who don’t know English, saying that these “laws fall under linguicism” (Blumenfeld). Blumenfeld insists that people will continue to speak their native
Analysis Of The New Bathroom Policy At English High School By Espada
1133 Words | 5 PagesThroughout his text, he explains that he felt uncomfortable at school knowing he would have to speak this language that didn't connect to his identity. A significant quote from his text is “At last, seven years old, I came to believe what had been technically true since my birth; I was an American citizen (Rodriguez 120-122).” This quote means that after having to learn English and somewhat feeling secure with it, he imagined the truth of being American. Another important selection that stands out to me is “But the special feeling of closeness at home was diminished by then (Rodriguez 123-125).” The reason why this quote is so important is given the fact once he felt further comfortable with English, he lost that connection with his family through Spanish.
New Bathroom Policy At English High School By Martin Espada
442 Words | 2 PagesLanguage plays a vital role in a person’s sense of identity and connection; despite that, however, many face issues of discrimination of language throughout the United States for speaking another language. Former lawyer-turned-poet Martin Espada addresses these issues in his essay “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School,” through the use of anecdotes and his work, Espada continues to fight and serve as a voice for Latinos across America. Espada states how language isn’t a means of communication, but instead integral to an individual’s identity and culture, he recounts the story of attending a protest for a bill to make English the official language of Massachusetts, during the demonstration, a state legislator threatens to rip his tongue out for speaking Spanish, later, when Espada goes up and conveys to the crowd, he calls out to the audience that even if his tongue gets ripped, it won’t stop him from speaking Spanish with his heart, “He can rip out my tongue if he wants. But it won’t work, porque yo hablo español con el corazón,” (97-99). Espada conveys to the audience that Spanish epitomizes a person’s identity and pride.
Skrentny's The Minority Rights Revolution
811 Words | 4 PagesPrimarily, the idea behind bilingual education is that ““primary and secondary school students who do not speak English well or at all should be taught in some or all subjects in their native language while they learn English” (Skrentny 179). The law targeted limited English proficiency students and especially the Hispanic community who had the high rate of dropouts at schools. While Gann, Duignan, Moore and Pachon insist on the role of Hispanic movement in supporting bilingual education, Skrentny's analysis of bilingual education demonstrates that Hispanics claimed bilingual education as a civil right issue after the emergence of bilingual education. He does not deny the role of the Hispanics but does not put the merit of bilingual education on them. In fact, Skrentny explains that the strongest support for bilingual education came from organizations such as the National Education Organization which argued that forcing immigrant children to give up their mother tongue and native culture in order to assimilate might cause important damage on the self-esteem of the children.
Hunger Of Memory By Richard Rodriguez
1504 Words | 7 Pages(Rodriguez, 1982, 29). Furthermore, a friend of Richard’s father who visited the family would tease him over his inability to speak Spanish, grabbing him painfully by the arms and asking him questions in the language (Rodriguez, 1982, 30). His uncle also explains, “‘what a
What Are The Barriers In The Devil's Highway Urrea
742 Words | 3 PagesVery few, if any, immigrants have the chance to learn English before traveling to the U.S. Because of this barrier, it is nearly impossible for organizations such as the Border Patrol to warn, aid, and communicate with them as they travel to the U.S. Although there are helpful signs along the border, they are written in English and are therefore indecipherable. Furthermore, the language border hinders an immigrant’s ability to survive in American society once they arrive. English is the written and spoken language in almost every city, thwarting immigrants’ opportunity to find jobs and interact with others. As they struggle to communicate, they become ostracized and do not fit in.
Recognising And Addressing Linguistic Bias In Jury Trial
1219 Words | 5 PagesThis essay argues that the judicial system may address linguistic prejudice by recognizing linguistic diversity, offering education
The New Groom Policy At English High School Martin Espada Summary
529 Words | 3 PagesMartin Espada believes that language plays a substantial role in someone's identity, culture, and history. On the other hand, unfortunately, language can be used to threaten and silence others. Espada speaks out on this injustice and demonstrates how language can empower and support us. In “The New Bathroom Policy at English High School by Martin Espada, he claims that Spanish, like many other languages, represents one’s culture and identity, he explains how language is important as it shows history.
Rhetorical Devices In How To Tame A Wild Tongue
929 Words | 4 PagesRhetorical Analysis on Anzaldua’s How to Tame a Wild Tongue The passage How to Tame a Wild Tongue is a very defensive and straightforward argumentative essay which defends her language and the people who speak it against the discrimination that the author herself has experienced first hand (Ethos). From this text we can infer that the author is most likely from hispanic descent as she is speaking spanish a lot of the time throughout the text. This text mainly speaks about the discrimination many Mexican-Americans suffer because they are spanish speaking.
Summary Of The New Classroom Policy At English High School
1004 Words | 5 PagesHe can rip my tongue out if he wants. But it won’t work, porque yo hablo español con el corazón (because I speak Spanish with my heart).’” (Espada, 96-99) Espada, who was only there to recite poetry, became the victim of hate speech. This encounter is just one of many similar encounters that happen daily. The more incidents like these spread, the worse lives for people of color will be.
Compare And Contrast Richard Rodriguez And Anzaldúa
701 Words | 3 PagesRichard Rodriguez and Gloria Anzaldúa are two authors who both immigrated to America in the 1950s and received first hand experience of the assimilation process into American society. During this time, Rodriguez and Anzaldúa had struggled adjusting to the school system. Since understanding English was difficult, it made adjusting to the American school system increasingly difficult for Rodriguez. Whereas Anzaldúa, on the other hand, had trouble adjusting to America’s school system due to the fact that she didn’t wish to stop speaking Spanish even though she could speak English. Both Rodriguez and Anzaldúa had points in their growing educational lives where they had to remain silent since the people around them weren’t interested in hearing them speaking any other language than English.
English Only Movement Essay
623 Words | 3 PagesRatifying legislation such as the ELA conveys to the public that there is a supreme form of speech among the 350 languages spoken in the United States. As a result, it is simply not possible to assert one language as dominant and ‘better for communication’ without inherently demeaning all the others, as the English-only movement attempts to do. This deprecation of different languages pressures immigrants and citizens to assimilate by learning English and reject their mother tongue. As many Americans disregard their foreign roots in order to better fit in society, the nation grows further from the diverse democracy it was intended to be, which is anything but unifying.
Should English Be An Official Language Essay
830 Words | 4 PagesIn the article “Why is Official English Necessary?” by Usenglish, they argue that “providing a common means of communication [...] encourages immigrants to learn English in order to use government services and participate in the democratic process” (Source D). The author highlights that by requiring people to learn English, they will be able to take part in different democratic activities, such as voting or contacting government officials. The participation of minorities in democratic activities is necessary because it allows their voices to be heard. For America to live up to its ideal of equality, everyone’s opinion must be acknowledged.
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