It just so happens that the other day I was having a conversation with a customer about her daughter speaking another language, I praised her and her daughter of the fact that she was attempting to learn another language, which is something I admire. When I was younger, my parents never taught me how to speak Spanish. My mom is fluent and my dad knows how to speak it, but cannot write it. As I got older and had to take Spanish in high school, I found it extremely difficult to learn, it felt like I was dyslexic. I promised myself that I would try to learn Spanish before I die because its something I always felt like I should know. Seeing, that we live in California I think it is important for many people to be bilingual and be open to learning other languages besides Spanish. This all connects to Gloria Anzaldua's essay, she went on about how she felt like society put restrictions on Spanish and when it was appropriate to speak it. I also found her writing about Spanish to be quite true. My mom often referred to her family that lives in Texas, as Tejano's because of the way they act and their lingo in Spanish is different than California Spanish..which is what Gloria was talking about. Gloria also says that "As a culture, we call ourselves Spanish when referring ourselves as a linguistic group and when copping out...We call ourselves Mexican-American to signify..we are neither Mexican nor American, but more the noun "American" the adjective "Mexican" (and when copping out)." I found what she said to be true amongst the Latino community, I don't know whether we feel as Latino's that we are still not accepted by society or if there is a negative stigma that associates with our culture?
Because I am mixed race..I find it complicated to be associated with just ONE ethnicity. For instance, because I'm light skinned I'm often confused with being Caucasian but then when viewed by Caucasians I'm thought to be Mexican. Also, because I don't speak Spanish, Mexican's often view me as "white-washed." So, apparently I'm not "white" enough for Caucasians or "Mexican" enough for Mexicans..because of my language and my appearance. Either way, I feel that society should view speaking languages not as defining someone's race..but defining how someone is.
About Me
- Trisha Carrillo
- I am full time student with a passion for scrapbooking. My sister got me hooked 6 years ago and ever since then I have not looked back. Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
I can definitely relate to you at not being able to reconcile other people to the color of my skin! I find it incomprehensible that people feel they have the right to pre-suppose what a person should look like, and to say someone isn't enough of a color or too much of a color is just ridiculous. I am American Indian on my mother's side - my grandmother was raised on a reservation in Montana and I am listed in the tribal rolls of the Assiniboin Sioux. However, my father was Irish and I inherited his family's red hair and light skin. People who see my Indian heritage on paper are always happy to welcome me, but then when they see my light skin, I am considered too pale. How can someone be okay on paper but not in person? Or the converse can happen, where I am considered "white" until I mention my American Indian heritage, and then I am somehow considered lower class status.
ReplyDeleteI highly agree with you that language has nothing to do with ethnic definition or characterization. In fact, I agree with the practice in Europe that children must learn at least one language other than their own. I wish that I had been able to learn my grandmother's native language before she passed away. I commend you on your desire to speak, read and write Spanish and wish you all the best in accomplishing your goal!