Talking Points #2 - Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez, in "Aria", argues that although it is important for children to appreciate their native language and continue to use it, in order for them to gain the type of identity that is necessary for them to enter the 'culture of power' in America, they need to also learn to speak English.

• "the families quiet was partly due to the fact that, as we children learned more and more English, we shared fewer and fewer words with our parents."

This quote is important because it highlights the conflict that children develop between school and home. It is frustrating for children to feel like they are progressing and learning a new language, then have to go home and be forced to give it up to communicate with their parents. This is a struggle that is extremely common right now because there still exists an entire generation of Hispanic men and women that don't speak fluent English, but raise children that do. It is hard to expect parents to learn English when they have survived in America without it for many years.

• That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier. The belief, the calming assurance that I belonged in public, had at last taken hold."

This quote has some positive tones. Basically he feels like he finally fits in. It is interesting to consider that a language barrier can create such a feeling in a child. Not speaking English made him feel like he shouldn't even be in public. It makes me think of Americans, when they are surrounded by Spanish speaking people. They can be so pompous as to still, even as the minority, feel like they are right, and the spanish speakers are wrong. I have seen situations like this many times, where the American refuses to try to speak Spanish, but rather raises his/her voice in an attempt to get them to understand his/her language. I am disgusted by people who yell English words at Spanish speaking people. You never find a Spanish speaking person raise his/her voice to an American out of frustration.

• "So they do not realize that while one suffers a diminished sense of private individuality by becoming assimilated into public society, such assimilation makes possible the achievement of public individuality"

This is a very important quote because it discusses the importance of assimilation. Basically he is saying that being an individual as part of public society is more important and beneficial than just being an individual who is not part of public society. Although acclimating is a hard thing to do, it is essential.

I enjoyed this article and found it easy to read. It is important for RIC students to understand the language issue with young students and education because of the huge population of Hispanic children in Providence.