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 …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 …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