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... Some there, some here, all connected by a common truth, the language that is spoken is foreign to the land. The empirical language of English dominates America, subjugating all other tongues. Renouncing one’s native tongue for that of English creates social tension between cultures because language is the medium for expressing values, beliefs, and traditions. ... The father disallows his daughter to speak English within his home because he desires her to keep the Spanish language, the culture, inside the home and closest to her heart. America disapproves of her speaking Spanish outside the home because English is the proper language to know since it is apart of the American culture. ... Adopting a new language, English in this case, is a way to learn and adopt a new way of life. ...
In contrast to Espaillat, Alastair Reid’s “Speaking a Foreign Language”, reflects the consequences of adopting a new language. ... English is the official language of America and its empirical nature suppresses all other indigenous languages and alien traditions. Reid insinuates that foreigners have “faith in one sentence” or one language. This one language is the acceptance of the English language as the only language that should be spoken, as well as the only way to be.
Approximate Word count = 975
Approximate Pages = 3.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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