Talking Points #2- "Aria"

Richard Rodriguez

Argument:
Rodriguez argues that his native language is a private language and that learning English gives students a public identity, however as a result of assimilating the native language becomes less private and in many cases obsolete.

Quotes:

1. Because I wrongly imagined that English was intrinsically a public language and Spanish an intrinsically private one, I easily noted the difference between classroom language and the language of home.

It seems that Rodriguez has determined that in public or the "classroom" in order to be a part of this setting he needed to learn English while at home he could be comfortable enough to use his native language, in a private setting. I always thought that students should embrace their native language while adding English in order to succeed in the classroom. In the academic world teachers seem to be supporting the bilingual system as well, meaning that you teach the students English using the students home language so the student does not form a disconnect with their language, thus their identity.

2. "With great tact the visitors continued, 'Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home?' Of course, my parents complied. What would they not do for their children's well-being?

At this point it seems that Rodriguez's family has been asked to lose their identity and assimilate to the "valued" ideology of the United States. It is as if the nuns are saying that their language is not valued in society so they need to help their children learn English. Like Delpit explains about the "culture of power" the nuns are telling Rodriguez's parents that in order for their children to succeed these are the "tools" they need.

3. But the bilingualists simplistically scorn the value and necessity of assimilation. They do not seem to realize that there are two ways a person is individualized. 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.

I believe that Rodriguez is saying that while it is important for bilingual American students to find their identity in a public forum by learning English they lose their private identity because they become more comfortable with English and form a disconnect with their native language speaking parents. So assimilation does not come without a cost.

Questions/Comments/Points to Share:

I found this article particularly interesting and easy to read because of the narrative style. I think that Rodriguez brings up an important point. I have learned from most educators that it is important for ESL teachers to teach students English but to embrace their native language as well so they do not lose their identity. Rodriguez seems to argue that as an English language learner it was important for him to obtain his public identity with the language but it cost him his private identity at home. I have heard that most second generation immigrants to this country usually only speak their native language at home if at all making them more comfortable with English and as a result the language is lost by the third generation. This is why I think that it remains important that teachers embrace students native language while teaching them the tools to succeed in public with English. It should not overshadow but complement their language learning. It seems that Collier agrees with Rodgriguez and cautions against assimilating students at a cost to their native language "Don't teach a second language in any way that challenges or seeks to eliminate the first language." I think this is why it is important to have a balanced ESL program.