Response to How to Tame a Wild Tongue

Abbigail Rugel

September 2, 2015

Professor Rasheda Young

Writing Skills 1100

Response to How to Tame a Wild Tongue

Identity and Life

     Gloria Anzaldua wrote an article called How to Tame a Wild Tongue. She writes about how important is in life. Everyone has their own identity based on their culture, language, gender, race, etc. Your identity is how you view yourself and how you identify and view yourself as a person. Having an identity is extremely important in order for people to differentiate themselves from others so they are able to embrace their unique qualities. I believe that having your own identity is an important part of someone’s life and I am proud of my identity and who I am as a person.

     In the article, Anzaldua explains her life as a Chicana and her people’s hardship trying to keep their culture and identity. She speaks highly of how important her language is and even says “I am my language” showing pride in her language and how she connects her language with herself and her identity. Anzaldua and those who were also Chicana speak several different languages such as Standard English, Working-class English and slang English, Standard Spanish, Standard Mexican Spanish, and the list goes on. Through their language and culture they have come up with their own identity.

     When socializing with people I like to think that there is something that sets me apart from them, a unique quality. I identify myself as a Hispanic female from New Jersey with a slight accent. There are certain words or phrases that I say differently and some people find it amusing and others find it odd. Like Anzaldua does throughout her article as well as when she speaks, I also use some Spanish words and phrases when speaking and communicating in general whether its with family or friends. Having my own identity and being unique makes me feel special as if I have a special place on Earth. There are no two people exactly alike, there is no there Abbigail Florence Rugel out there with my same personality, beliefs, accent, culture, passion, etc. Being your own self in a world filled with people is a beautiful thing and I am proud to be who I am.