Linguistic Terrorism Essay

“So if you want to really hurt me, talk badly about my language until I can take pride in myself- Gloria Anzaldúa. Making fun of Gloria’s shape, size, length won’t mean anything to her. However once some one brings up her language then the insults start to fly. “Pena. Shame. Low estimation of self. In childhood we are told that our language is wrong. – Gloria Anzaldúa. Because of the way we speak, people put us down making us feel more ashamed of our language.
Both of these quotes have different meanings, but can be tied together. To make fun of some ones language is to insult they bring, them down. Telling those of the native tongue that their language is wrong. When in reality it is right, it is just wrong to those who do not except the native tongue. Those people whom bring down the native tongue speakers make them feel uncomfortable talking Spanish. “Their language was not outlawed in their countries” – Anzaldúa. Now the United States is their country. Even is some don’t approve this country is their country as much as it is yours.
“Our language has been used against us by the dominant culture; we use our language differences against each other.” – Gloria Anzaldúa. The United States does have a major impact on a huge part of immigrants. Majority of immigrants feel the need to learn English to at least receive a job. Once immigrants start to feel comfortable with their English, they often push off their native tongue and throw it under a carpet because of embarrassment. Then most immigrants forget their culture and become Americanized.
The dominant culture is the one that makes those of the native tongue feel uncomfortable, because they just speak to the people like if they are mentally ill when in reality they are clueless of what’s being said. Making those of the native tongue the need to speak the dominants culture language defines who we are. And if we can’t accept our language, no matter id the dominant culture makes if feel the need to know their language. How are we supposed to know our roots and where we come from and who we really are!!