Talking Points #2

Article #1
Richard Rodriguez
Aria

Rodruiguez argues that while it is important for children to be taught a second language to forward themselves in the world, they need to be able to practice the language that is the basis of the Culture of Power, English. If a child does not know how to speak English than they will have much greater difficulty in schools and in life.

1. "At first, it seemes a kind of game. After dinner each night, the family gathered to practice 'our' English. ... Laughing, we would try to define words we could not pronounce." (35)
I feel that Rodriguez had fun learning English with his parents. He was in a stress free enviornment without the pressure of answering a question in English when he did not feel he could. By his parents helping him out, everyone in his fmaily was able to learn English in a stress free enviornment and benefit in the Culture of Power.

2. "Weeks after, it happened:One day in school I raised my hand to volunteer an answer. I spoke out in a loud voice. And I did not think it remarkable when the entire class understood. That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier. The belief, the calming assurance that I belong in public, had at last taken hold." (36)
Again, due to the relaxed enviornment that Rodriguez learned his English in, he found it in himself to speak out in class. He was able to feel like he was a part of the "norm". He felt he had a place in public because he could now speak English so the middle class white society could understand him.

3. "She'd join conversations she overheard, but her intrusions often stopped her children's talking. By contrast, my father seemed reconciled to the new quiet." (37)
I feel that this happens alot. Children become much more bilingual than their parents and when English starts to become more mainly used in the household bonds between parent and child can be strained. In this case, Rodriguez's father becomes aware that he cannot speak English as fluently as his children or his wife therefore basically takes a vow of silence from even speaking the English anymore because he got made fun of.

This article was a rather easy read. I really felt bad for his father at the end of the article because I can completely understand where his father was coming from. I can semi-understand French and I took five years of it, but when I get around my dads side of the family, and all of them are speaking fluent French, I get intimidated. I know my French isn't as good as theirs and when they ask me a question in French, sometimes I have no idea what they just asked me because they said it way to fast. Then I would become the laughing stock. So I can really understand where his dad was coming from. I do however think it's a good idea that children, especially now, learn English. It is mainly used in the world. On the other hand though, Spanish and currently Chinese should be learned as well because they are the next two popular languages.