All students of the American education system should be fluent English speakers. Martin Espada and Richard Rodriguez, two revered essay writers both possess conflicting opinions about how bilingualism should be handled. Espada believes that language has ties to culture, and they should all be preserved; however, Rodriguez’s view of bilingualism is more methodical, he thinks learning the language used for public communication is the most beneficial method, regardless of any cultural ties that may be abandoned.
Martin Espada’s view of bilingualism can be explained through his usage of a metaphorical analogy, wherein his essay he wrote, “English and Spanish are like two dogs I love. English is an obedient dog. When I tell him to sit, he sits. Spanish is a disobedient dog. When I tell him to sit, he pees on the couch” (3-6). He believes that both languages spoken by an individual should be equally loved and respected, despite the first language being inherently easier to speak and control. His ideals apply to bilingual individuals as well: they should be treated with the same respect and love as modern speakers of English. These beliefs have been widely met with resistance from the American community throughout the country, one example of which would be the intentional drowning of a Cambodian schoolboy in Lowell Massachusetts. Despite the obvious danger of advocating bilingualism, Espada remains adamant about his opinion to preserve language. Espada believes that bilingualism and culture are inseparable. He strongly supports the idea that those who speak multiple languages must also be tied to them on a spiritual level. Espada expresses his appreciation of Spanish, his second language when confronted by a man who threatened to rip out Espada’s tongue for speaking in Spanish. Moments later, Espada spoke to a crowd of people about the man who threatened him, hoping to use this story and himself as an inspiration because he had refused to be silenced by accepting that “He can rip my tongue out if he wants”, while believing that “it won’t work, porque yo hablo espanol con el corazón” (7). Espada’s opinion of bilingualism remains unaffected by the influence of this man, because of his unwavering love for the culture of his second language: Spanish. The man is compared to the legislators in the State House of Massachusetts who attempted to make English the official language of the state. This proposition did not go through. As Espada states: “They have failed” (7). According to Richard …show more content…
Public languages encompasses those that are widely used for communication around the world, such as English. While private languages include those not used to communicate with vast amounts of people but still spoken between smaller groups. Rodriguez “considered Spanish to be a private language” (19). He believes it to be essential to learn the public language of the region an individual is living in, so that communication with the public population may always be available.
Rodriguez has an alternative approach to the controversial topic of bilingualism. His opinion reflects a more practical, logical approach to bilingualism. When explaining his past experiences of English teachers in American classrooms, Rodriguez states “What they understood was that I needed to speak a public language” (20). He expresses gratitude towards his previous instructors because he believes that “Fortunately, my teachers were unsentimental about their responsibility” (20). Their responsibility being to teach Rodriguez the public language of
Martin Espada’s view of bilingualism can be explained through his usage of a metaphorical analogy, wherein his essay he wrote, “English and Spanish are like two dogs I love. English is an obedient dog. When I tell him to sit, he sits. Spanish is a disobedient dog. When I tell him to sit, he pees on the couch” (3-6). He believes that both languages spoken by an individual should be equally loved and respected, despite the first language being inherently easier to speak and control. His ideals apply to bilingual individuals as well: they should be treated with the same respect and love as modern speakers of English. These beliefs have been widely met with resistance from the American community throughout the country, one example of which would be the intentional drowning of a Cambodian schoolboy in Lowell Massachusetts. Despite the obvious danger of advocating bilingualism, Espada remains adamant about his opinion to preserve language. Espada believes that bilingualism and culture are inseparable. He strongly supports the idea that those who speak multiple languages must also be tied to them on a spiritual level. Espada expresses his appreciation of Spanish, his second language when confronted by a man who threatened to rip out Espada’s tongue for speaking in Spanish. Moments later, Espada spoke to a crowd of people about the man who threatened him, hoping to use this story and himself as an inspiration because he had refused to be silenced by accepting that “He can rip my tongue out if he wants”, while believing that “it won’t work, porque yo hablo espanol con el corazón” (7). Espada’s opinion of bilingualism remains unaffected by the influence of this man, because of his unwavering love for the culture of his second language: Spanish. The man is compared to the legislators in the State House of Massachusetts who attempted to make English the official language of the state. This proposition did not go through. As Espada states: “They have failed” (7). According to Richard …show more content…
Public languages encompasses those that are widely used for communication around the world, such as English. While private languages include those not used to communicate with vast amounts of people but still spoken between smaller groups. Rodriguez “considered Spanish to be a private language” (19). He believes it to be essential to learn the public language of the region an individual is living in, so that communication with the public population may always be available.
Rodriguez has an alternative approach to the controversial topic of bilingualism. His opinion reflects a more practical, logical approach to bilingualism. When explaining his past experiences of English teachers in American classrooms, Rodriguez states “What they understood was that I needed to speak a public language” (20). He expresses gratitude towards his previous instructors because he believes that “Fortunately, my teachers were unsentimental about their responsibility” (20). Their responsibility being to teach Rodriguez the public language of