Today in class we read this article (Donald Trumps fear Spanish power language identity)

How does the journalist feel about forced language assimilation and expectation that everyone in America must learn English? and what does she believe is the relationship between accent, identity, and power?

I think the journalist seems frustrated with being forces to have to learn or speak a language in order to fit in. And that the non english speakers are the ones that should fit in while the Americans exclude them from fitting in. She believes that taking away someones accent is like taking away they’re identity, and handing over the power to a white hand covering their mouths as if there voice did not have a purpose.

In my opinion I understand that language is an important thing that connects us, and is our human way of communicating but that becomes difficult when we don’t speak the same languages, but that doesn’t mean we have to remain silent and have our identity completely changed by the majority of people who do not speak the non majority’s language. They can either chose to accept it or choose to do something completely unethical like kicking them out of the country along with their anchor babies just because of a language barrier.

What do you notice about the journalist’s own language? Do you agree with her views?

Her language was very understandable, well explained and extremely powerful in the way she structured her article and made great use of quotations. She used strong words and metaphors like “It is a way of putting a white hand over her mouth, telling her her voice does not matter.” She also put some personal information and experiences to prove her point. I do agree on her views that it is that to work hard didn’t mean being American as possible and that sometimes you just have to not care because its not important.

What do you think they should do about this issue?

Scott Sherrill-Mix via Compfight