Quotes:
"But I couldn't believe that the English was mine to use. (In part, I did not want to believe it.)"
Richard felt that, because English was not his primary language, he could not use it. He felt uncomfortable using it. For example, I can understand little Italian and maybe say a couple of things, but I would never be able to just speak it because that is what everyone is speaking. Within the article, this quote signifies how Richard was in a school where he had to speak English, but he didn't seem to know it well enough to speak it. He tells the reader that he often mumbled when asked a question because he was unsure of himself. A person should not have to go through school feeling uncomfortable with his culture.
"In and instant, they agreed to give up the language (the sounds) that had revealed and accentuated our family's closeness."
It is terrible that a family would have to start speaking English all the time just because that is the 'public' language. This quote is an example of the culture of power. It seems like there is a right way and a wrong way when it comes to speaking in the United States when there really is no correct way at all. Richard explains to us that there is so much emotion and meaning behind his primary language, Spanish. The whole article is based on how Richard's family had to give up a piece of their culture to fit in. Not only was this just a change in languages, but it was a change in how the family communicated. The children did not feel as comfortable talking to their parents once they knew that had to speak English all the time.
"Though his English improved somewhat, he retired into silence."
Richard tell the reader how his father could speak some English, he felt that it was better to just remain quite most of the time. This goes back to the way Richard felt in class, when he would rather mumble answers than speak aloud. His father's accent was still strong enough that even at the dinner table with his own family, he would take the 'backseat' so to speak and let his wife take control of grace. This is not a way of life. It is a shame that a family member decides to keep quite than to speak. The word gringos is brought up many times. Richard's father would say it derivatively with such intense meaning, but it lost it's intensity once he had to speak English frequently. A family should not lack communication because of the languages.
Is there a reason why parents can't teach their children their primary language? It seems like children with more than one language can learn better because of the diversity. People should be able to keep their culture, as long as they can actively participate in the culture around them.
I feel like the quotes you used really accent the piece nicely. Its like a summary of a the transition in Richard’s life and the stages of change he experience. First shock and denial, then shame and pain, and finally sadness and defeat when his father goes silent. You explained all the points very well and worked in some relations to the culture of power. And I totally agree with your final points on being able to keep one’s culture and participate in someone else’s.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your responses to the quotes. Although such a short essay, it seemed to say so much with quite an impact as well. In regards to the first quote, I find myself sometimes mumbling or speaking more softly when I'm not positive on pronunciation, but for it to be something you experience on a daily basis is just tiring and discouraging. The second quote, which I somewhat brought up in class, amazed me. I was almost dumbfounded at the fact his parents were so quick to accept the request of the nuns. Without a second thought or consideration to how their children would feel, they immediately decided to make the transition. Ironically, as quick to it as his father was, it seemed pretty obvious he was the one to suffer the most from the decision. He became "shy" as described in the reading. I thought it was sad the man's family portrayed him as something he wasn't. He wasn't shy, he was embarrassed and frustrated with not being able to speak the "public language" as well and to the expected standards of society.
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