In The Honor of My Native Language

Introduction

I'm a proud descendant of Jamaicans (Hail mi friends) and Puerto Ricans (Que Pasa). The first question many people ask when they find out my nationality is whether I can speak Patois or Spanish. Yes, I can speak Patois very well. However, when it comes to Spanish, I am not proficient, nor do I want to learn it. People often ask why, and my response is always because it's a language that's forced upon you. The primary purpose of this essay is to demonstrate how certain languages are imposed on us in school, yet we rarely use them in real-world scenarios.

The Imposition of Foreign Languages in Schools

When you were in grade school, you were often required to take a language such as Spanish or even French. Let's focus on Spanish for now. Schools push you to learn Spanish, yet 95% of the time, you will never use that language again. Gloria Anzaldúa once noted a sentiment I hear frequently: "If you want to be American, speak American. If you don't like it, go back to Mexico where you belong" (Anzaldúa, 1987). Many people express this sentiment, but the real question is whether they know where their real country is, because nobody truly does.

The Spanish taught in schools is not the Spanish spoken in Latin American countries like Mexico, Ecuador, or Guatemala; it's Castilian Spanish from Spain. So, even if you learn Spanish, it may not be useful when conversing with someone from a Latin American background. The vocabulary might be similar, but the meanings can differ significantly, which renders the learning experience somewhat ineffective.

The Questionable Value of Learning French

Now, let's discuss the French language classes offered in high school. Why on earth are we learning French? In the U.S., a country where students in high schools and colleges are encouraged to take French classes because French is considered more "cultured," according to Gloria Anzaldúa (Anzaldúa, 1987). However, realistically, when would we use French unless we were planning a trip to Paris or France?

According to Editorial Projects in Education, "46% of all foreign language classes focus on Spanish, and another 21% on French. German, Latin, and Chinese account for only about 5% of the courses offered to secondary students" (Editorial Projects in Education, 2010). Our school systems invest heavily in teaching these two main languages, only for students to forget them over time. Ironically, there was a time when Spanish speakers couldn't speak Spanish without facing punishment. Gloria Anzaldúa recounts in her essay "How to Tame a Wild Tongue": "I remember being caught speaking Spanish at recess—that was good for three licks on the knuckles with a sharp ruler" (Anzaldúa, 1987, p. 200). Now, they are forcing it on us.

The Value of Native Languages

I wish they would teach my language in school. Dis a mi English no matta wah nobody sey an eff wi get to learn Spanish wi cya learn mi language to (This is my English no matter what nobody say, and if we got to learn Spanish, then we can learn my language too). I’m a proud Rasta Faren. I feel the same as Gloria Anzaldúa: "So, if you want to really hurt me, talk badly about my language" (Anzaldúa, 1987).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the imposition of certain languages in educational systems often overlooks the cultural significance and practicality of learning native languages. While foreign languages like Spanish and French are emphasized, the importance of understanding and preserving native languages remains underestimated. It's crucial to recognize the value of linguistic diversity and to foster an educational environment where all languages are appreciated and taught.

References

Anzaldúa, G. (1987). How to Tame a Wild Tongue. In Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books.

Editorial Projects in Education. (2010). Foreign Language Enrollment in Schools. Education Week.