Travel/Culture Spain, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic | Page 14

Culture is made up of many different things including language, social ideas of feminism, and identity. Many times, we see culture as something that divides different groups of people, but I see it as something that points out similarities as well as differences. In Gloria Anzaldua’s “Linguistic Terrorism,” the author talks about her feelings on feminism and how she is out-casted by what language she speaks. While Anzaldua focuses on her own experiences and culture in her essay, I am still able to relate to the common ideas and feelings we share among our cultures.

“Linguistic Terrorism” focuses on how growing up speaking Chicano Spanish,

The Culture of Us

The Culture of Us

By Jamie Springett

one of the many varieties of the language, has made Chicanas, people of Mexican origin, feel poorly about themselves. I learned how to speak the language I like to call textbook Spanish; one that lacks cultural and locational influences, but serves as a basis for other varieties. I have enjoyed learning the language for five years, however, it has made me feel somewhat of an outcast when I compare myself to the people in my life and culture. Gloria Anzaldua explains that, “Chicanas feel uncomfortable talking in Spanish to Latinas” (Anzaldua 774). Latinas, in contrast to Chicanas, are people of Latin American descent. Similarly, I feel uncomfortable talking to the many native Spanish speakers I have encountered, as well as speaking Spanish to the non-Spanish speakers in my life.the language, has made Chicanas, people of Mexican origin, feel poorly about themselves. I learned how to speak the language I like to call textbook Spanish; one that lacks cultural and locational influences, but serves as a basis for other varieties. I have enjoyed learning the language for five years, however, it has made me feel somewhat of an outcast when I compare myself to the people in my life and culture. Gloria Anzaldua explains that, “Chicanas feel uncomfortable talking in Spanish to Latinas” (Anzaldua 774). Latinas, in contrast to Chicanas, are people of Latin American descent. Similarly, I feel uncomfortable talking to the many native Spanish speakers I have encountered, as well as speaking Spanish to the non-Spanish speakers in my life.

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