"How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Tori Hinz
9/5/2016
Professor Young
ENGL 1100
Reading Response Questions

1. the opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentist's chair connects to the overall message of the essay because the dentist is trying to use the cotton to prevent her from talking or moving her tongue. The overall theme is how her language was taken from her and the dentist was doing the same.

2. I thought that Anzaldua's use of Spanish throughout the text was very unique. By doing this she brought attention and recognition to her language that was devalued. It also makes people who only speak English step out of their comfort zone as she often had to do.

3. Our academic English would be considered standard Spanish in their county. Standard would be considered as the original form and non standard would be considered any other variation of the language.

4. In many cases speaking or writing in English has become a part of many peoples identity. From this you can form predictions on where they may be from. However, it may be a necessity for those who solely speak English to communicate in that way. As for the Spanish speaking population many have conformed to learn our language, therefore making neither Spanish nor English a necessity.

5. Various types of English identities could be as simple as using slang or to the point of living in different regions of the country in which the dialect varies.

6. No I do not use secret language or identity to communicate with my friends.

7. The type of English I speak when talking to my friends and the type I speak when speaking with someone of authority is much different. With my friends my English is much for laid back and casual and when with someone older or a parent I am much more reserved and use more standard English.

8. "I am my language" means that your language shapes part of who you are as a person. It can also tell a lot about you. This connects to identity as language can help others to know where one comes from and what kind of environments influenced them.

9. The introduction and conclusion relate because in the introduction the Dentist is trying to get Anzaldua to give up her speech and not move her tongue but in the conclusion the Chicanos say that even though other races have given up their tongue, they refuse to do so.

10. I do feel that the language I speak is a part of my identity as it allows me to communicate with people I love and care about and provides some information about me to those I do not yet know.

11. To me identity is important because I feel like you who you are and what your made up of entails your identity. I also feel it is important for Abzaldua to have identity as a Chicana, this is something that she lives for and states they will not give up their language.