Spanglish: The Marriage of the English and Spanish Language

    I believe that the language of Spanglish needs to be taught and respected in schools today. Spanglish is everywhere, and it spoken by millions of people throughout the world  today. So many people live in households that are comprised of parents and/or grandparents that speak Spanish, and then go to school where English is spoken and taught. Most of these people are bilingual and have combined both languages making a new language called Spanglish. There are several varieties of Spanglish, and the variety of Spanglish that a person speaks is based on the area they live. Some Spanglish is more English based, whereas some other Spanglish is based more on Spanish.  Baquedano-Lopez's article agrees that Spanglish should be taught and accepted in schools. I agree with the article  that  states when a student is comfortable speaking a language that incorporates part of their culture, it is easier for that student to learn. It would seem foolish to take the time and put in the effort for students to "unlearn" Spanglish, a language they are fluent in, in order to try to get them to learn? And we all agree that when students are comfortable and feel at home, they are more successful. Unfortunately many people feel that Spanglish should not be taught, or even spoken in school. They feel that Spanglish makes Latinos appear dumb and lazy and that it holds them back and takes away their chances of success. Tato Laviera's poem, Spanglish, praises Spanglish as a language and refers to it as "literally perfect." Laviera believes people should be able to learn in the language they are the most comfortable, and the Hispanic population  certainly feel most comfortable speaking  Spanglish. My project leans heavily on the belief that Spanglish is a language and students must be allowed to speak it in school and learn in it in school. Spanglish is here to stay and must be accepted. A non standard language such as Spanglish should be accepted, as agreed by linguists, as the Hispanic population is growing at a fast rate, particularly in the cites. As the Hispanic population grows, so does the speaking of Spanglish. Ramon Antonia Martinez agrees that there must be a place in education for Spanglish, and that speaking Spanglish can have a very large impact on their academics. Can you imagine being bilingual in Spanish and English, and having the ability to speak and comprehend Spanglish, yet having a teacher saying you were not allowed to speak it? 

 

    Spanglish is everywhere today  and spoken by millions. It is casually spoken on street corners, stores, schools, and clubs. Today Spanglish is often heard in music and seen on television. It's here to stay, and we must respect that and allow these students to have the opportunity to speak and learn Spanglish in school. Spanglish is not a lazy language or dialect and speaking Spanglish does not decrease your chances of being successful. On the contrary, speaking Spanglish actually works your brain harder because your brain is forced to code switch between the two languages. Our world is a melting pot of people and cultures and it is our responsibility to help anyone and everyone be as successful as possible. Speaking and learning in Spanglish helps the Hispanic community excel and at learning in the classroom. It is our responsibility to allow these students to speak the language they know and are most comfortable speaking in order to give them their greatest chance to learn and be successful students. 

Modern-Day Relevance and History of African American English

The history behind African American English has a long-lasting effect on not only its speakers, but to all members of modern-day society, where the dialect continues to remain culturally relevant. 

But what is African American English (AAE)? AAE, also known as Black English, is a dialect spoken by African Americans, which is very different from what someone may refer to as Standard English. AAE has been around for centuries and is tied hand-in-hand with the history of slavery and communication between slaves during that time, and continues to be prevalent as it is a dialect we hear spoken around us every day. 

There are clear phonological differences between African American English and Standard English that are important to note here. AAE is very systematic in its pronunciation and verbiage. For example, there is a common omission of the present tenses of "is" and "are," where the phrase "they are walking" in Standard English would be pronounced "they walkin'" in African American English. In recognizing these differences from Standard English, AAE can be viewed as not only rich in history, but unique in terms of linguistic structure. 

These ideas are further explained and related back to cultural and modern-day relevance in many scholarly articles. In a chapter written from a book by April Baker-Bell, she proves to her audience how there is a need for African American English to be incorporated more into the education system, as she shows that African American students are not at all educated on the dialect and the long-lasting effect it has on our society. The students that were involved in the study and were analyzed in this chapter shared that they wish that they were taught more more about their culture in school. Similarly, in her article, Lisa Green discusses the relevance of the dialect in the 21st century through including descriptions of the language used by African American characters in the film industry. These two articles touch on some of the many ways that African American English is shown to have a lasting relevance on the modern-day world, and will continue to grow to become even more so incorporated in all other aspects of our society. 

Quote by Toni Morrison; author of best-selling novel, Beloved 

Finally, the relevance of African American English is highlighted through and through in the novel Beloved by Toni Morrison. This novel follows the story of the main character, Sethe, who is an escaped slave and suffered the most horrific forms of savagery, in the form of what many critics call a slave narrative. In a scholarly article by Sheldon George, he discusses the specific approach Morrison takes to incorporate this hard-to-talk-about topic of slavery into the novel. Sheldon makes an effort to break down every character from the novel in their entirety to reveal the deeper meanings to slavery and what aspects of it they represent. Beloved is among a group of many famous novels that are based on the premise of slavery. 

Overall, African American English and the history that is associated with it has a long-lasting effect on society and the speakers of the dialect. Whether it is through the education system, pop culture, or literature, it is a prevalent in that it is seen everywhere and spoken by many citizens of the country we live in. If everyone recognized this prevalence and became educated on African American history, perhaps there would be less prejudices and biases in our world and all cultures would be accepted and celebrated. 

The Importance of Learning About the Spanglish Language

 What is Spanglish?

Spanglish is a language that consists of vocabulary and grammar from both the Spanish and English languages. Spanglish is spoken by many people across the world, despite the contradicting opinions that surround the language; some believe that Spanglish is a dialect, rather than an actual language. 

Throughout history, Spanglish has risen in popularity. Although people are slowly starting to understand and accept Spanglish as a language, this was not always the case in the past. When the Spanglish language first emerged, people who spoke it were looked down upon by others. Spanglish speakers were perceived as uneducated and incapable of speaking a single language, causes the combination of both English and Spanish. People failed to recognize the fact that in order to speak Spanglish, speakers must be fluent in both the English and Spanish languages, and therefore educated. In order to move past this notion, it is important to develop an understanding of the Spanglish history, and how it has developed into the language that is spoken today. 

Many authors have evaluated the history of Spanglish, along with disproving the opinions of those who believe Spanglish speakers to be uneducated. Within his various literary pieces, Ilan Stavans describes Spanglish as an emerging language in America. Stavans uses personal stories to describe the history of the language, as well as the current view of Spanglish in the United States. By sharing first-hand experiences, Stavans provides readers with an important perspective one the history and use of the language in the United States.

Another author that dives into the history of the Spanglish language in an effort to provide others with knowledge of this unique lanugae is Eugenia Casielles-Suárez. In her journal article, Eugenia Casielles-Suárez focuses on the history and linguistics, sociolinguistic functions, and attitudes towards Spanglish in her writing. She places a specific emphasis on Spanglish among the Latino communities within the United States. 

Both Ilan Stavans and Eugenia Casielles-Suárez provide excellent information for anyone wanting to learn about the historical and current status of Spanglish in the United States. Learning this information opens up the opportunity to learn about how Spanglish can impact peoples' daily lives. 

Why is this important?

It is important to have a thorough understanding of the history and current status of Spanglish within the United States in order to comprehend the emotional effects Spanglish can have on those who speak the language. Although the Spanglish language is growing more popular and the acceptance of the language is becoming more widespread, there is still emotional trauma caused by the historical background. Not to mention, the current status of Spanglish within the United States shows improvement from the past, but it is still in need of a lot of change in order for Spanglish speakers to be completely comfortable in speaking their language. 

After gaining an understanding of these important factors of the Spanglish language, it is important to read literature that uses the Spanglish language. Authors like Diana Renee choose to write in Spanglish in an effort to educate others on their language. Additionally, Spanglish writing authors may use their writing as an outlet for their struggles and emotions that they face as a Spanglish speaker in the United States. This is what Diana Renee chooses to do in her poetry that is posted on her personal blog. She uses her writing to express the emotional affects speaking Spanglish has placed on her daily life. 

 

Pictured Above: Diana Renee

Author of “No Language.”

Overall, it is extremely necessary for all members of society to learn about different languages, like Spanglish. Although there is still some controversy in the world today on the status of Spanglish as a language, reading different literary sources can provide readers with a lot of important information on the historical background of Spanglish. Not to mention, reading about the current status of Spanglish in the United States is also vital in gaining a full understanding of the language. Once there is a notable level of comprehension on the historical and present status of Spanglish, the emotional effects on the speakers of the language can be explored. It is vital to know the emotional effects a language can have on those who speak it in order to make changes and strides to diminish these negative effects in the future. 

Spanglish as a dialect and as a cultural identity

Spanglish is a blend of Spanish and English in sentences, phrases, and grammar that has kept 

Hispanic cultures alive and well in the United States as speakers live with bicultural and bilingual influences. American culture has often expected people from other cultures to assimilate into their culture, but Hispanic people have rejected this transition. Spanglish was first started as an oral tradition, but as it became more widespread, this dialect became a written form through books, essays, movies, poems, etc. 

 

Spanglish can be both a uniting and dividing factor for those that speak it. Patricia Bazán-Figueras and Salvador J. Figueras discuss in their article that Spanglish is one of the main ways that Spanish speakers in the US have not had to let go of their cultural identity while living in among a different culture. At the same time, however, speakers have struggled to fit wholly into their Spanish and American cultures. The socio-cultural influences are a building block to creating a Spanglish identity, expanding Spanglish to also be a lifestyle. As Spanish gains more popular use in the US in fields like medicine, there is more of a demand to be bilingual. 

 

In the United States there is an expectation for immigrants to immediately immerse themselves into American culture, customs, and celebrations, and often classifies Spanish speakers under the assertion that they are uneducated. This is not the case in Spanglish speakers, as they are able to bend the rules of language and their societal expectations. Code-switching in Spanglish is using both Spanish and English vocabulary and grammar when speaking. Eugenia Casielles-Suárez talks about the idea of words changing meaning over time as two languages co-exist, and languages develop to adopt more meaning, called contact phenomenon. As more people speaking Spanglish experience several influences on their lives, and they find their own identities, their language reflects that. As there becomes an understanding of what could be some grammar rules for Spanglish, the understanding of Spanglish has become more standardized. 

 

Tato Laviera was an immigrant from Puerto Rico whose writing reflected the Spanglish dialect and culture as he experienced it. Stephanie Álvarez Martínez’s piece talks about Tato Lavera as an example a Spanglish writer, and how his explorations of cross-culturalism have brought an important voice to the Spanglish community. Laviera’s poem Spanglish narrates his experiences of breaking the bounds of his Puerto Rican culture by living in America, and breaking the bounds of his new American culture by speaking Spanish. In his bicultural experience, Laviera explains the difficulties of fitting into one identity, being labeled “immigrant” and his words as “mispronounced” and carrying the implications of those words. This personal experience helps readers to personify a Spanglish identity. 

Being bilingual and bicultural as a Spanish speaker in the US poses challenges and rewards. Spanglish speakers are able to develop their own understanding of Spanglish as a language, and as a lifestyle, fitting into more than one identity and expanding their minds. Spanglish is made up of two languages and two cultures, it consists of technical elements of language and elements of emotions that create an identity for Spanglish speakers. 

Finding Balance Between Standard English and African American English

 For speakers of African American English, a discrepancy between standard English and African American English can cause an identity dilemma that carries over into every aspect of life. 

African American English (AAE) is considered to be a dialect of the English language that is spoken primarily by African Americans, with its own grammatical and spoken features that differ from standard English. The language was created several centuries ago by enslaved Africans brought to the United States against their will as a form of communication with each other and their masters, and has evolved over time into what we hear and see today.

African American English is often viewed as “slang” or “improper English” by those who do not speak it, but in actuality, it is a unique language that has its own set of distinct rules that must be followed in order for it to be spoken correctly. Because many people see AAE as slang, its speakers are faced with both linguistic and racial prejudices that can affect their overall wellbeing and happiness. Being forced to face these prejudices head on makes it harder for many African Americans to succeed, which Audrey Watkins touches upon in her essay. For those who speak AAE as their primary language, it is often more difficult to find and keep a job. Many employers see AAE as unprofessional and require their workers to speak standard English. Since the use of standard English defines success in our predominantly white society, those who do not speak it fall down the ladder of success and behind their peers. It does not matter how smart, dedicated, or qualified the person is; if they do not speak standard English, they’re out of the running. Simple as that.

Starr Carter protesting the death of her unarmed black friend in The Hate U Give.

One of the most unfortunate aspects of speaking a dialect outside of the standard is the idea that one must conform to the standard to be accepted into society. In Hickey and McQuitty’s piece, they highlight the importance of teaching AAE speakers standard English and vice versa. The goal of this is not to erase a language just to replace it with another one. Instead, the goal is to add it to a person’s catalogue of languages so they have it under their belt and have the option of whether or not they want to use it. By teaching each language group about the structure and history of the other, it gives both groups an opportunity to learn about the biases that surround AAE and work together to erase any potential biases and create a more welcoming environment for everyone. 

Finally, the concept of an identity dilemma stemming from a divide in languages is seen in the novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Starr, the main character, is an African American teenager with dual personalities to fit each of her social lives. She has a personality for her family and neighborhood in which she uses AAE as her primary language, and a personality for her school in which she uses standard English in classes and with friends. She characterizes her poor income neighborhood as “the ghetto,” while her school is a prestigious, predominantly white high school in which she has a scholarship. Racial and linguistic biases are felt by her entire family, not just Starr. Both of her parents are successful in their job fields, but both are often seen as unqualified due to their backgrounds and their use of AAE instead of standard English. Many of Starr’s high school friends view AAE as slang and criticize those that use it, which only justifies her fear of using it outside of her neighborhood. If Starr’s friends had been exposed to AAE from an early age, they would have a better understanding of the language and how it works, and Starr would probably feel more inclined to create a single personality that encompasses both aspects of her life.

African American English speakers are subjected to harsh societal conditions put in place by those in power, and there is nothing that can be done about it unless everyone comes together to solve the problem. If everyone took the time to learn about both standard English and AAE and become an advocate for AAE speakers, prejudices and biases would be eradicated and the ladder of success would become a lot more diverse.

Spanglish Throughout Literature

This image is a visual depiction of speaking Spanglish.

What is Spanglish? Spanglish is a hybrid language combining words and idioms from both Spanish and English, especially Spanish speech that uses many English words and expressions.

Spanglish is represented as an emerging language in the United States throughout different works of Literature. Therefore, this blog will highlight a variety of different aspects of Spanglish and the history behind the new language.

During the early uses of Spanglish, many people who spoke the language were viewed as uneducated or speaking an "incorrect" language. Additionally, people who identified as Spanglish speaking were not accepted throughout the community. This resulted in many hardships for Spanglish speaking people and overall lessened their identity and role in society.

These ideas are further presented within different works of Literature such as, "How to Tame a Wild Tongue," written by Gloria Anzaldua.  Within the work, the author describes her viewpoint of identity and acceptance for people who are within different ethnical groups and who may speak a different language, such as Spanglish. Additionally, Anzaldua explains her own personal experiences as she was not accepted by the Hispanic or White people because of her spoken language. As her writing lengthens, Anzaldua eventually embraces her language and decides she will not be ashamed of her background. Anzaldua overall uses her writing to bring light to the Spanglish language.

In addition to Gloria Anzaldua's publication, there are many scholarly articles that also focus on the use of Spanglish as an emerging language. Similar to Anzaldua's work, the articles work to bring light to the language and clarify any misconceptions about the history and use of Spanglish. For example, the  scholarly articles written by Sharon Chappell and by Ilan Stavans both provide insight about the culture and understanding of Spanglish. In both texts, the writers describe how the use of Spanglish played a role within their own lives and the difficulties they faced. Each author describes how Spanglish speaking people worked to maintain their identity within society. Additionally, the authors also focus on how Spanglish was perceived and the changes the language has undergone throughout history. Each piece of writing overall brings attention to the use of Spanglish and leads to the acceptance of the language.

Therefore, there are several different publications that present the experiences of Spanglish speaking people and how those people eventually overcame the hardships. As shown, each piece of Literature lead to the acceptance of the language and changed history forever. Luckily, as Spanglish began to be accepted across the world, the language received more recognition and was soon viewed as a normal part of society. 

Overall, the recognition of Spanglish is valuable to the history of world because it represents all of the different people and their cultures. The language that was once seen as spoken by the uneducated, is now being taught at Universities across the globe. As a whole, the history of Spanglish has come full circle as once being seen poorly, to now having several publications about the use of the language.