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Katie Almazan

Professor Bernice Olivas

English 1050

07 May 2020

Language Reflection

The diversity of language is protected and respected by most nations who value cultural

diversity. However, people are sometimes subjected to different treatments because their

preferred language is associated with a particular group, class, or category. Notable examples are

the Anti-French sentiment in the United States as well as the Anti-Quebec sentiment in Canada

targeting people who speak the French language. Commonly, the preferred language is just

another attribute of separate ethnic groups. Discrimination exists if there is a prejudicial

treatment against a person or a group of people who either do or do not speak a particular

language or languages. Another noteworthy example of linguistic discrimination is the backdrop

to the Bengali Language Movement in erstwhile Pakistan, a political campaign that played a key

role in the creation of Bangladesh. In 1948, Mohammad Ali Jinnah declared Urdu as the national

language of Pakistan and branded those supporting the use of Bengali, the most widely spoken

language in the state, as enemies of the state. Discrimination through the use of language is the

same thing as discriminating against identity.

One of my favorite topics that were discussed in this class was Language. All of the

articles and videos about it were extremely interesting and informative. It quickly became my

favorite because it was the one I could relate to the most. I did not realize how much my identity

was based on the language I spoke. My identity revolves around my culture. Both the Spanish
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and English languages are a big part of it. Language is the form in which we communicate and

understand each other. It also connects us to those that can recognize the slang terms or certain

accents that further sets them into certain groups. By studying language through the readings and

writing techniques, I have developed certain insights about it and its impact on the world.

Although language was fully discussed during Week 13, it was definitely addressed in

other readings. The manner in which one speaks can show your privilege, class, and sometimes

even race. Language can be seen in every aspect of your identity. In “How to Tame a Wild

Tongue” by Gloria Anzaldua, she argues that “identity is intertwined with the way we speak and

for the ways in which people can be made to feel ashamed of their own tongues”. Anzaldua

rejects linguistic borders as a form of keeping her true identity. It is common for people to be

discriminated against if they speak a language oddly or have a certain accent. They are made to

feel inferior. In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED talk, “The danger of a single story”, she talks

about the critical misunderstanding of only listening to one story of a certain culture or country.

She talks about her experience with her American roommate. She says “My American roommate

was shocked by me. She asked where I had learned to speak English so well and was confused

when I said that Nigeria happened to have English as its official language.” People use language

as a form of identification. It can show education, poverty, and opportunities. It can also be used

as a way to degrade others. In the discussion in Week 13, Rebeca Fernandez explained her

experience as an immigrant and non-native English speaker. “As an immigrant, I think that

before was easier to communicate with English speakers. They used to try to help you by

speaking slowly or even looking at someone with the same language as yours. Now, some

Americans — the ones that like to discriminate people from other countries— think that because
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you ask them to speak slowly they have the right to yell at you: “If you don’t speak English, go

back to your country” or “We speak English here” when they hear you speak in your native

language. We live in a multi-language country that gives us the opportunity to progress and

provide a better life for our families”. It is true that the world has gotten more hostile and

unpleasant. Widespread acceptance has enabled people to outwardly showcase their hateful

views. These beliefs have gotten so big that the discrimination even happens inside homes. Amy

Tan talked about how her mom would often be treated unfairly due to her inability to speak

perfect English. “I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is

because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect” (Tan). This is an

incredibly sad thought. The meaning of peoples’ words should not be any less because of their

proficiency in a certain language. How many innovative ideas have we missed out on because we

choose not to listen? Especially in this technologically advanced world, language barriers should

no longer exist. These readings and talks I mentioned were particularly inspirational because

they used mostly personal stories. It was like reading their diary and it made the issue seem even

more real. Anzaldua’s and Tan’s writings were really strong because of their mixed-use of

English and their native language. Anzaldua used a lot of Spanish in her writing and Tan wrote

the exact way her mother spoke. These techniques brought a lot of heart and eloquence.

A big debate about language is how it should be taught. A lot of people have a specific

idea of what proper English is. Anything outside of that does not seem as educated and is

discriminated against. “It may be true that the standard language is an instrument of power and a

device for protecting the status quo, but that very truth is a reason for teaching it to students who

are being prepared for entry into the world as it now is rather than the world as it might be in
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some utopian imagination — all dialects equal, all habit of speech and writing equally rewarded”

(Fish). Stanley Fish is an English professor who argues that curriculums should include more

focus on teaching standard English since that is what students will be needing in the real world.

It is true that all habits of speech are not deemed the same way, but eliminating all other forms of

language is an attempt at eliminating diversity. It just proves to everyone what they have been

thinking, that they are less because of the way they speak. “The claim that any one dialect is

unacceptable amounts to an attempt of one social group to exert its dominance over another”

(Larson). Another form of injustice is denying people the same opportunities because of how

they sound. I am lucky to be bilingual, but I am even luckier to be completely fluent in English

and have absolutely no accent. That is a privilege I am extremely grateful for. I have close

friends and families that have been denied simple things because of the complete opposite. “And

it do happen—as he know—when folks dont get no jobs or get fired or whatever cuz they talk

and write Asian or black or with an Applachian accent or sound like whatever aint the status

quo” (Young). I believe to claim that English is the main language that should be taught is also

claiming ignorance. The techniques used in these writings were definitely more argumentative

and informative. They provided great points and opinions that allowed the reader to become

informed and make a smart choice. Language is another form of privilege that most do not

recognize.

Language was heavily discussed this semester and we were provided with various

readings and videos to learn more about it. I learned how this is a form of advantage over others

just like class, gender, race, etc. Everything from school, jobs, and other environments are built

upon these things. A person fluent in English will be likely chosen over a person who has limited
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ability. Recognizing that there are so many accents, dialects, and languages out there, is a form of

understanding diversity and accepting different cultures. These writings were profound because

of the way they created pathos, ethos, and logos. Through personal accounts, use of native

language, backstory, and factual information, they were able to get their point completely across.

Language is one of the things that make us unique while also binding us to others. When we

learn to appreciate it, we appreciate ourselves and the ones around us.
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Works Cited

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. “The Danger of a Single Story.” Youtube, uploaded by TED,

7 Oct. 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg.

Anzaldua, Gloria. How to Tame a Wild Tongue. 1987.

Fish, Stanley. “What Should Colleges Teach?” The New York Times, 7 Sept. 2009.

Larson, Richard L. “Students' Right to Their Own Language.” CCC, 1974,

prod-ncte-cdn.azureedge.net/nctefiles/groups/cccc/newsrtol.pdf.

Tan, Amy. "Mother Tongue." [Threepenny Review 1990; 1989.] The McGraw-Hill Reader:

Issues across the Disciplines. Ed. Gilbert H. Muller. 11th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill

, 2011. 76-81. Print.

Young, Vershawn Ashanti. “Should Writers Use They Own English?” Iowa Journal of

Cultural Studies, 2010.