How To Tame A Wild Tongue Analysis

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A lot of cultures fit in to the United States dominant culture because as an assimilationist,

America has excepted them. For example, people of Irish decent came to America hundreds of

years ago. Over time, they adapted to our culture and climbed social ladders. The first

Kennedy’s moved to the united states in 1848. As generations passed, they became successful

and one of them even became president. However, not all cultures want to be assimilationists.

For example, people of the Latino community have a different theory weather they should be

assimilationist. Some argue whether fitting in is a good idea or not. Cultural identity is

important. While there are reasons to value heritage, being part of a dominant culture is …show more content…

In the essay “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” Gloria Anzaldua writes “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity – I am my language” (6). She describes how language and culture relate to identity. Anzaldua explains how the dominant North American culture is taking over the Latino culture and soon “… English and not Spanish, will be the mother tongue of most Chicanos and Latinos” (6). She goes on saying that the Spanish language should be used in order for it to survive. Anzaldua encourages Spanish speakers to keep their language value heritage.

While there are reasons to value heritage, being part of a dominant culture is also important. While individuality should be valued, fitting in is more important. The sense of belonging is essential in life. Being understood and accepted by others helps a person work through problems and deal with emotional pain. Furthermore, being part of a dominant culture gives people the ability to communicate and be understood by others. By fitting in, people tend to be happier than those who …show more content…

Sometimes by giving something up, a person gains something more valuable. For example, those who speak English as a second language often struggle in public. They mix up words, mispronounce them, and use wrong grammar. In result, those with bad English skills often get discriminated and taken advantage of. It is hard for them to get hired because people just assume they are not smart enough. Therefore, learning English and letting go of a private language is a solution to an easier life because fitting in means being accepted by people and being accepted by people means success. In conclusion, it is essential for people to be approved by others in their public

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