How To Tame A Wild Tongue Summary

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Many say that parents are considered ones’ first teacher. One is taught from a young age how to read and write from home. However, society judges and criticizes one’s matter of knowledge because it isn’t known as being “proper.” Anzaldua along with Lahiri are two authors that face difficulties in school due to their cultural background, and had their parents pressure them with what they considered being right. In addition to this, Baldwin feels a sense of not belonging to society because of the rules that are set in school, and limitations social standards set on African Americans. Trading Stories, How to Tame a Wild Tongue, and If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What is?, show that society and family are key to language, identity, and cultural position because they make one self-question their position in society. …show more content…
However, today language such as Spanish is being restrained to impose the assimilation of the American dominant language. In the story, How to Tame a Wild Tongue, Anzaldua states that her mother taught her Spanish as her first language. Now, usually, the first language is used to create a connection with the ones who raise you. Anzaldua grew up familiarizing herself with Mexican decent, giving her trouble in school when trying to learn English. “If you want to be American, speak American. If you don’t like it, go back to Mexico where you belong,” (Anzaldua 167) is what she was told at a young age when getting caught speaking Spanish during recess. Her mother had also told her to get rid it because it wouldn't allow for her to be successful in life. Anzaldua was confused, she started to question herself because she wasn't sure if she wanted to leave her Mexican decent behind. Her bilingualism gave her the opportunity to be prominent when compared to others, which is why her Mexican Spanish gave her a sense of
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