Lea Ramsdell

Language and Identity Politics: The Linguistic Autobiographies of Latinos in the United States by Lea Ramsdell is an academic article that focuses on how three writers use language to position themselves in relation to power. The sole purpose of this article is to show how powerful language really is. When the author uses the phrase “Language is identity and identity is political” (Ramsdell, 2004, p.1) she implies that your language identifies you with your family and ethnic history and your ethnic history and family have political pasts, statuses and beliefs. In this phrase Ramsdell also refers to identity politics in which the authors are able to identify who they are by the language they use. Richard Rodriguez (first author analyzed) sees English and Spanish at opposite ends because of going through the “agonizing” experience acculturation as a young boy. Rodriguez sees that by leaving Spanish behind and mastering English he became a member of the world of economic success. Ariel Dorfman (second author analyzed) also places English and Spanish at different ends. However he does not leave his Spanish behind, but in fact embraces both languages but in separate settings. On the other hand, Gloria Anzaldua (third author analyzed) views both English and Spanish as once since she identifies herself on both sides of the “linguistic divide”. Anzaldua “embraces Spanglish” to show the acceptance of both her American and Mexican sides. Though Richard Rodriguez, Ariel Dorfman and Gloria Anzaldua identify themselves differently they all view language as home and “the very essence of their selves”. (Ramsdell, 2004, p.1) From this analysis I have learned that there is in fact several ways that language can change how one views oneself or better embrace how they view themselves by changing both their actions and beliefs. Which I think is true because language is used to express oneself and if you do not feel comfortable with your language you will not be able to do so. This analysis will help me to better understand different cultures, especially since I will be reading The Toughest Indian in the World which deals with Native culture.