Blog Post 8

 Rodriguez describes how he acquired English in "Aria," not only as a language but also as a means of assimilating into American culture. At first, he says, he felt lost and uneasy, as if English were a "public" language that wasn't his. His "private" language was Spanish, which he used for comfort, family, and home. He had to learn English, but it also caused a rift with his family because he began to identify Spanish as more "other" and English as more "American." Many of us who were raised bilingually, I believe, can identify with this issue. I feel like I'm interacting with the outside world when I speak English, but there's something unique about speaking my own tongue with family.

Rodriguez's narrative is compelling since he does not consider himself a victim. Rather, he believes that his trip is essential, even if it means losing something in the process. He accepts that his connection with his family changed as a result of learning English, and he admits that it provided him with chances that he otherwise would not have had. He claims that speaking English well provided him a voice in the greater American community and assisted him in discovering his "public identity." He has simply learnt to cope with the emotional toll that assimilation takes; this acceptance does not imply that he has forgotten it.

"Aria" brings up significant issues of identity and belonging, in my opinion. Is it possible to fully integrate into two cultures? Is it necessary to let go of one in order to embrace another? Although Rodriguez doesn't provide simple solutions, he does demonstrate that bilingualism and biculturalism can be accepted for their advantages and disadvantages. I find his viewpoint to be both reassuring and difficult as I attempt to negotiate my own way between two cultures.

During my placement I have worked with multiple students who are bilingual and spoke Spanish as their first language. Something that I have noticed is how when the bilingual students go to talk to each other, they speak in Spanish rather than English. This shows what Rodriguez was saying about how using Spanish was for comfort and felt like home. When the students talk to each other in Spanish they have much different body language from when they speak English with the teacher. They seem a lot more confident and happier.