Gloria Anzaldúa provides a great account of how it is to be a chicano(a) in the borderlands. In her book Borderland/ La Frontera she exposes the hardships that chicanas have to face such as the identity crisis the face, the machismos and the infringement of the Hispanic culture. In the chapter “How to Tame a Wild Tongue,” Anzaldúa describes the Chicano(a) in the United States are told not to express themselves in their native language as “linguistic terrorism” since it instills fear and shame in their native language. In order to understand the important language in culture, it must be defined first. Language is defined as the way words are pronounces, combined, utilized and understood by a community (Merriam-Webster 2018). In the chapter
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Anzaldúa refers to this systematic oppression of language as “linguistic terrorism” in her chapter “How to Tame a Wild Tongue.” While others may view this term as extremist, or taking the subject out of context, this term is quite fitting since chicano(a)s are being terrorized into abandoning their language and inheriting a feeling of shame. This feeling of shame is instilled through being told that Spanish is an inferior and “outlawed” language (Anzaldúa 2007, 80). When Chicano(a)s start to view Spanish as second-rate language they start to reject it. This creates, in the long run, language barriers between age group. Language barriers that should not exist if the younger Chicano(a) generations were not subjected to “linguistic terrorism” in the American education system. Language is not only a form of communication but also part of identity; therefore, when an individual’s language their identity is insulted as well. The constant assault to identity can lead to low self-esteem. Anzaldúa mentions even between Chicanas there is a sense of embarrassment and hesitation to speak Spanish instead it is preferable to communicate in English (Anzaldúa 2007, 80). This is not only because they have been taught to reject their native language but as a consequence they’re Spanish is inadequate. In the book, she explains that having limited knowledge about Spanish is frowned upon the Spanish speaking community and women who lack in their native language are seen as “agringadas” (Anzaldúa 2007, 80). The solution to the language shaming is to celebrate multilingualism and encourage the younger generations to learn both languages
Anzaldúa refers to this systematic oppression of language as “linguistic terrorism” in her chapter “How to Tame a Wild Tongue.” While others may view this term as extremist, or taking the subject out of context, this term is quite fitting since chicano(a)s are being terrorized into abandoning their language and inheriting a feeling of shame. This feeling of shame is instilled through being told that Spanish is an inferior and “outlawed” language (Anzaldúa 2007, 80). When Chicano(a)s start to view Spanish as second-rate language they start to reject it. This creates, in the long run, language barriers between age group. Language barriers that should not exist if the younger Chicano(a) generations were not subjected to “linguistic terrorism” in the American education system. Language is not only a form of communication but also part of identity; therefore, when an individual’s language their identity is insulted as well. The constant assault to identity can lead to low self-esteem. Anzaldúa mentions even between Chicanas there is a sense of embarrassment and hesitation to speak Spanish instead it is preferable to communicate in English (Anzaldúa 2007, 80). This is not only because they have been taught to reject their native language but as a consequence they’re Spanish is inadequate. In the book, she explains that having limited knowledge about Spanish is frowned upon the Spanish speaking community and women who lack in their native language are seen as “agringadas” (Anzaldúa 2007, 80). The solution to the language shaming is to celebrate multilingualism and encourage the younger generations to learn both languages