Bilingualism Richard Rodriguez Analysis

Rodriguez argues that it is essential to speak the public language in order to connect with your public identity. Without having knowledge of the public language there is no possible way to know your public identity and who you are in the community. This argument is explained more in the essay “Their English voices prying loose, my ties to my other name,....” (22) As Rodriguez loosens his ties on his english after holding it in for so long he begins to become more comfortable with the public English speakers surrounding him. Explaining his experience with bilingualism Rodriguez says, “That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier.” (23) Taking knowledge of English had given Rodriguez the ability to communicate with his community and gave him the advantage of having a Public language and a private one, giving him his public identity. Martin Espada’s view on …show more content…
Espada explains thoroughly in his essay the importance of standing up for your right to speak with a native tongue andnot letting English dominate over other languages, such as spanish. Espada says “I have learned that the best way for me to maintain Spanish is to fight for the right to speak spanish” (p 4 lines 16-18) Your languages are your identity and staying connected is essential. Diversity is influential when it comes to bilingualism. Diversity however is not possible if English is forced onto native speakers encouraging them to rid of their alternative languages. Espada’s many ideas of bilingualism show its importance and how it is dealt with in America. As slightly stated before English has been forced upon Spanish speakers making it hard for them to stay connected with Spanish culture. Denying Latinos the