Summary Of How To Tame A Wild Tongue

Gloria Anzaldua was a queer Chicana poet, writer and feminist. She has contributed and wrote many poems and essays about social justice issues and culture identity. In her essay, “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” by she expresses and tells the reality of what burdens Mexican-Americans or multilinguals go through living in the United States. Anzaldua emphasizes that language and culture is inseparable. She also exclaims that she was incompetent of being an American and a Mexican.

At the beginning of her essay, she introduces with a metaphor, “Pulling out all the metal from my mouth” (280). Her dentist is desperately trying to take out the metal from her mouth but is having difficulty. Especially when she uses the word, “motherlode” hence, the metal

That is why Mexicans have trouble accustoming because they are pressured to speak fluent English and Spanish at the same time and be both accustomed to the cultures. It is an incredibly hard thing to do because people identify with both however, people and society are telling them that they are only one and must choose only one. Language is also the first thing you learn as a human and so it is apart of us, a necessity and an imperative. Ironically, in the essay she talks about how she got in trouble for speaking Spanish, however, in reality it is essential. Her English is just as important as Spanish is. Multilinguals are not accommodated; not everyone speaks Spanish like not everyone speaks English. Having different languages and cultures is enriching the United States. Anzaldua states that it violates the first Amendment, it pushes the country forward because then the voices of many immigrants and people of color will finally be

She is calling for action, for all the Mexican-Americans to embrace their language and culture. I agree with Anzaldua because she explains how language is a part of her and how language defines her identity. Thus, it is extremely important to embrace our all differences because it is a part of our identity and who were are as people. It is beautiful how Anzaldua is passionate throughout her essay because she speaks and defends her culture by her personal experiences and speaking in Spanish. She does translate it or provide a glossary which hints that her audience was directly meant for Spanish speakers, because she does include basic sayings and quotes that many of spanish speakers already know. She speaks in Spanish notably throughout her essay because she wants other Chicano/as to be involved in her movement and her struggle. To also show that she is not ashamed of speaking Spanish anymore and that she has embraced