In "How to Tame a Wild Tongue," Anzaldua employs both English and Spanish to depict the discrimination entrenched within cultures solely based on language. The power and relatability of this discrimination are intensified by Anzaldua`s bilingual narrative. As a native Spanish speaker from southern Texas, Anzaldua`s choice to include Spanish in her writing reflects her cultural and linguistic background. However, for readers not fluent in Spanish, navigating her work becomes a challenge, evoking frustration. This linguistic juxtaposition underscores the differences and similarities between English and Spanish, highlighting the unique cultural nuances each language embodies.
The presence of both languages engenders a sense of discord among readers unfamiliar with either English or Spanish, fostering a disconnect and perpetuating the very discrimination Anzaldua addresses. Anzaldua`s bilingual writing illuminates the struggle against silence imposed by the dominant language, as expressed in her poignant lines: "Ahogadas, escupimos el oscuro. Peleando con nuestra propia sombra el silencio nos sepulta" (Anzaldua 529). Through translation, the essence of the original language is often lost, further marginalizing linguistic diversity.
Anzaldua introduces the notion of linguistic terrorism, underscoring the significance of language in shaping identity. She fluently speaks various dialects of English and Spanish, each representing a facet of her cultural heritage. Yet, the hierarchy imposed on these languages within Chicano communities fosters a sense of inferiority. Ramsdell elucidates Anzaldua`s journey towards reclaiming her language as a form of self-validation, emphasizing the deeply personal stakes involved in linguistic identity.
In her interview with Ann Reuman, Anzaldua elucidates her metaphor of borderlands, aiming for inclusivity and challenging exclusive notions of cultural identity. However, while Anzaldua effectively portrays the struggles inherent in navigating multiple cultural and linguistic identities, she falls short in illustrating the equitable coexistence of these cultures. The emphasis on discrimination overshadows opportunities for dialogue and mutual understanding.
Anzaldua`s use of English and Spanish in "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" serves as a potent tool for highlighting the discrimination ingrained in linguistic diversity. Yet, while she adeptly exposes the tensions between cultural and linguistic borders, her narrative sometimes overlooks the potential for reconciliation and coexistence among diverse cultural identities.
