"How to Tame a Wild Tongue" Speak American...

Hanan Saadah

English 1100

Professor Young

2015, August 30th

"How to Tame a Wild Tongue" Quotes

#1 "If you want to be American, speak 'American'"

#2 "Who is to say that robbing a people of its language is less violent than war?" -Ray Gwyn Smith

#3 "I remember being caught speaking Spanish at recess---that was good for three licks on the knuckles with a sharp ruler."

Works Cited

Anzaldua, Gloria. "How to Tame a Wild Tongue." Teaching Developmental Writing. Ed. Susan 

     Naomi Bernstein. Fourth ed. New York: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2013. 245-255. Print.

"How to Tame a Wild Tongue"

Hanan Saadah

English 1100

Professor Young

2015, August 30th

"How to Tame a Wild Tongue" Response

1. The opening scene of Anzaldua in the dentist's chair connects to the overall point of the essay and title because those who are trying to control Anzaldua and people like her.

2. Anzaldua's use of the Spanish throughout her writing made sense and was embedded in parts of the essay. The purpose was that since everyone is trying to make her understand English, she is doing the same to us with Spanish.

3. Academic English can't be defined as Spanish (standard) because you are forcing those students to drop their accents. Chicano Spanish, I think, should also be one of the standard.

4. It is necessary to speak/write in Academic English as an identity because it is useful to know, but it should not define you or become your identity.

5. I use a combination of arabic and english at home with my family. Also, I do not normally identify myself as my nationality, more as my race.

6. I do not use a secret language casually with family. However, my friends and I do have secret code names for many things, but it is more for fun and as a joke.

7. The form of English I use with my family is nonstandard, more casual. The form of English I use to speak to my mother is nonstandard and standard (a little bit of both). The form of English I use to talk to my professor is standard because it is much more professional and appropriate. 

8. "I am my language"; Anzaldua meant that she considers her language as a definition of her. She thinks highly of her native language and depends on it.

9. The introduction and conclusion connect because it starts saying that her people have "wild tongues" but the conclusion says that they are "possessing a malleability that renders us unbreakable" and these together say that maybe we have wild tongues, but they're wild for a reason.

10. Yes, the language you speak can be a part of your identity. It traces back years and years to what your ancestors spoke and will stay in your present.

11. Identity is very important to me because it reminds me of who I am and where I come from. Anzaldua definitely believes it's important to have an identity from the many times she mentioned it. For example, when she says "attacks on one's form of expression with the intent to censor are a violation of the First Amendment" or when she says "identify ourselves as a distinct people", she means her and her fellow Chicanos.

Response to: Getting to Know You

Hanan Saadah

English 1100

2015, August 25th

Professor Young

Getting to Know Me

1. If you play a sport, what type of sport do you play? How long have you been playing this sport?

I currently do not participate in any sports. I used to, however, play soccer for about 13 years but I quit in high school. I now play soccer only for fun.

2. What are you passionate about? For example, in your free time, what do you enjoy doing most?

I am very passionate about art. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting, and taking and editing pictures.

3. What is your nickname and how did you get this name?

I do not have a nickname with friends, but I do have one with family. Almost everyone in my family calls me "Hanouna". I don't really understand as to why and neither do they but that's what they call me.

4. When you write, do you just sit at the computer and allow the words to flow or do you have an outline?

When I write, I normally just allow the words to flow. Having an outline, I feel, takes longer and can sometimes be a waste of time for me.

5. How would you describe your writing experience in high school? For example, did your teachers allow you multiple times for you to revise your essays to earn a higher grade? Did you learn grammar rules and structure? Did you learn about the five paragraph structure?

I would like to think that my writing experience in high school went well. We did get allowed multiple revisions on our essays. Grammar and structure wasn't a huge focus, especially five paragraph essays. Only my first two years of high school five paragraph essays were enforced, but after that, we barely used them.

6. What type of music do you most listen to and who is your favorite artist?

The type of music I mostly listen to is pop/R&B. My favorite artist is the The Weeknd. One of my favorite song from them is "The Hills"...(may not want to read lyrics while song plays).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncObwOWDT0Q

7. Do you use social media and if so how often do you use social media: facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat, Instagram?

I use all social media daily. I honestly cannot go a day without checking all of them. My excuse is that I am absolutely in love with photography.

8. What is most important for you to learn this semester?

The most important thing I want to learn this semester is how I can apply myself in ways that will help out my school and community.

9. Rate yourself as a writer: A, B, C or D. Explain why.

I would rate myself as a B writer. I think I write very well, but not to a point where it can take your breath away. I definitely want to push myself to hopefully be an A type of writer.