Analysis of the English Language

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James Spoonley

Professor Bourdeau

EG11 1042

15 September 2005

Analysis of the English language

Aria in itself means a solo performance with accompaniment. In "Aria" Rodriguez gives the readers an insight into his successful attempt to transfer from the Spanish language to English in his childhood. The writer argues the fact that he was forced "to speak the public language of los gringos." (3)

The writer avoided learning the English language in school "I somehow suspect that once I learned public language my pleasing family life would be changed."(3-4)

The teachers at the school attempted to get the writer to speak in the class but "I couldn't believe that the English language was mine to use. (In part, I did not want to believe it.)"(3). Soon after the teachers noticed a problem "they began to connect my behavior with the difficult progress my older sister and brother were making" (4).

One strategy the writer uses to help prove his point is his personal experiences. This is apparent when the three nuns came to his house to talk to his parents "Is it possible for you and your husband to encourage your children to practice their English when they are home?"(4). From that point on the writers parents only spoke English

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around their children and so began the dissimilation of the writers "private language" (4). Another personal experience the writer uses to show his general acceptance of the English language is when he says how he "stopped hearing the high and low sounds of los gringos. A more and confident speaker of English, I didn't trouble to listen to how strangers sounded, speaking to me. And there were too many English-speaking people in my day for me to hear American accents anymore."(5).

The writer over generalizes his point in both the beginning and the end but uses specific facts in the main body of his essay. "What they seem not to recognize is that, as a socially disadvantaged child, I considered Spanish to be a private language." (3). Also at the end he uses evidence from the time of the essay(1981)