Out of Class, How to Tame a Wild Tongue

In the article “How to Tame a Wild Tongue”, Anzaldua disputes many definitions that all have to do with the Spanish language. She defines the term “tongue” as a language. She describes many different types of tongues or languages throughout the article. Anzaldua introduces the definition of “wild tongue”, which is speaking English with an accent. Her mother and her teachers wanted to get rid of her “wild tongue”, or her Spanish accent. Anzaldua also lists and describes the eight different languages that Chicanos speak in America. Some of the languages are new terms I have never heard of. She says that some of them are her “home” tongue. She defines a “home” tongue as the language she speaks with her brothers and sisters. She also introduces a definition called “pochismos” or anglicisms. These are Spanish words that are distorted by English. Some Spanish speaking people reconstruct their language with a strong English influence. This argument of the “pochismos” resonated with me because I personally speak pochismos at home. My mom is also a Chicano just like Anzaldua. She uses many words that are part Spanish but influenced by the English language. I also grew up with a nanny who does not speak English at all so we have our own language full of pochismos that are a combination of Spanish and English. I could never use the Chicano Spanish language I learned at home in Spanish speaking countries because it is not Standard Spanish. Anzaldua also defines the language called “Pachuco”. She defines the language as a rebellion language that is against both Standard English and Standard Spanish. She says it is a secret language because not everyone can understand it. Her argument about language terrorism also resonated with me. I think it is sad when people do not accept the melting pot of America. Everyone American came from a different country so it is impossible for the entire American population to speak “American”.