Poet Gloria Anzaldua said, “I am my language,” but what about people who don’t speak the language their culture mandates?
Linguistic stigmas and practical reasons can be the cause of increasing numbers of English-only Hispanics. The Pew Hispanic Research Center reports 25 percent of Hispanics as English dominant and 28 percent bilingual. Some would argue Spanish is the language of God, but in reality it is a language of the conquered. Spanish was historically seen as a second-hand citizens’ language after the Texas Revolution, a mentality lasting into present day. Spanish-speaking schoolchildren sat in corners wearing dunce caps in the 1960s for speaking the only language they knew. Secretaries were scolded if they used Spanish around white-collar workers and families were patronized in restaurants for their Spanish chatter.
“I think it’s the social condition that creates the stigma around the language,” said Ana Juarez, associate anthropology professor. Juarez believes we continue to see the same social inequalities today reflected in the income, education and advancement of Spanish-speakers.
Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author of the book Mexican Enough, grew up in the shadows of the Spanish stigma her mother experienced as a schoolgirl, when she received bars of soap in her mouth to cleanse her native tongue.
“It was treated as a dirty language and as a result they never passed along the language,” Griest, who finally learned Spanish, her fourth language, said. Griest said most English-only Hispanics experience cultural hang-ups and baggage surrounding their inability to speak the language.
“It always seemed to me like the joke I was never in on,” she said. “I think my mom always laughed harder in Spanish than she did in English.”
The Pew Hispanic Center reports dramatic language shifts based on generations spent in the United States. Forty-six percent of second-generation Hispanics say they’re English dominant, but 78 percent of third-generation Hispanics say they are.
There’s no denying practical rationale, even though the shift has historical reasons.
“Parents want to make sure their children can thrive in the environment they’re competing in so they want to make sure they learn English,” Juarez said. “When you’re surrounded by English there are fewer opportunities to speak Spanish – and Spanish is still stigmatized – so they’re not able to become fluent.”
Juarez says she’s still met many students who have come to her wishing nothing more than they knew the language that was once inappropriate to speak in public schools.
English-only Hispanics, while a unique by-product of acculturation and historical discrimination have more to look forward to than a Spanish-language stigma. Pay raises and biculturalism in a time of multicultural celebration are only two reasons to ditch the Spanish baggage. English-only Hispanics shouldn’t feel culturally shafted, but they should take interest in expanding their linguistic prowess and hence, their view of the world.
“Learn from the roots within,” Griest said. “It just gives you a better understanding of who you are and who how all these different world communities relate.”
- Published in Texas State University Star
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Study abroad experiences beneficial for students
Getting college credits while looking at the backdrop of a Mexican sunset or milling around Scottish castles is an experience anyone would want. Some reading this might still be in a study abroad stupor, wishing they were back getting art credits in Italy or studying world history in England.
Most people think of college as an experience on some familiar university setting, but more and more students are choosing to go global as a means of learning about other cultures, languages or earning basic credits. According to a study by the Institute of International Education, the number of students studying abroad has more than doubled in the past ten years.
College creates a perfect opportunity for travel; most of us do not have full-time jobs or dependents keeping us in the States. The gift of youth requires you do something more than stay in a comfortable place. Traveling abroad gives the chance to explore different worldviews and makes global situations relevant to your own life, not to mention helps you gain a critical career advantage.
“Employers are looking for graduates who can communicate well with others, both in person and in writing,” Sheila Curran, executive director of the Duke Career Center told Transitions Abroad, a global guide to living abroad. “They know the importance of cross-cultural understanding and an appreciation for different points of view.”
Before the international dream can become a reality there are a few educational hoops to jump through. Financial aid can be a scary thought to the student who feels they are eking out an education on loan money, but roughly 92 percent of study abroad students pay for their programs with financial aid, which can be increased to accommodate a trip overseas. There are endless scholarship resources, ranging from the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program (which gives full-rides to study abroad) to Texas State’s own study abroad scholarship, which can pay up to $4,000.
First check with the admissions office to avoid earning worthless credits abroad, suggests Liane Gonzalez, study abroad transcript evaluator.
“Sometimes students choose schools we do not recognize or they’re not recognized by the ministry of education in that country and you could be out a lot of money,” she said.
And just because the credit transfers doesn’t mean it goes toward degree plan so be sure to check with an advisor. Seniors have to go a step further and get advisor approval if they study abroad in their last 30 hours. The abroad experience can be well worth the legwork by providing an experience changing your perspective on world affairs, religion and language. Not to mention give juicy tales of international adventures to talk about the rest of your life.
Published in Texas State University Star
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